Big Basin Redwoods, CA's Oldest State Park, Engulfed in Fire!

Redwood Tree in Henry Cowell St. Park, just south of Big Basin Redwood St. Park

www.sfgate.com/…

A series of fires burning in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties called the CZU August Lightning Complex exploded into a monstrous inferno overnight.

The fire was 25,000 acres when everyone went to bed, but on Thursday Cal Fire officials said at a 6 a.m. press briefing it had grown to 40,000 acres with zero containment.  Twenty structures have been destroyed and 8,600 are threatened.

It appears as though all of Big Basin State Park has been enveloped by fire overnight. pic.twitter.com/AyC4S9MWLE

— Logan Williams (@obtusatum) August 19, 2020

Terrible news from Bay Area fires this afternoon:
- Flames jumped I-80, forcing evacuation orders on both sides of the freeway in Vacaville/Fairfield
- Crews will have to fight to save Boulder Creek tonight
- Fire has entered Big Basin Redwoods State Park https://t.co/h1m3DC2zwH

— Nico Savidge (@NSavidge) August 20, 2020

Not a hopeful visual. #CaliforniaFire sitch for those of us in the South Bay/Santa Cruz. Source: https://t.co/Ij2XoWkyhf @KQEDnews @hannah_hagemann pic.twitter.com/TfLIlINLe4

— Rachael Myrow (@rachaelmyrow) August 20, 2020

Sad day today Big Basin Redwoods State Park its totally engulfed in fire, California's oldest state park and home of some of the few redwood forests left in the state after climate change and logging reduced their numbers. I can't believe all of this is burning down right now pic.twitter.com/YkrOUdtMUM

— Sterling Crispin 🕊️ (@sterlingcrispin) August 20, 2020

Historic buildings destroyed at Big Basin Redwoods State Park. Fate of ancient redwoods at California's oldest state park unclear as fire rages through Santa Cruz Mountains https://t.co/4jAJq4O7Gw #CaliforniaFire #CZUAugustLightingComplex #BoulderCreek

— Paul Rogers (@PaulRogersSJMN) August 20, 2020

Beyond heartbroken.

Visited Big Basin last in July. Spent over an hour meditating on top of Buzzard's Roost. It was one of a few places nearby that always helped lift me up.https://t.co/RkVtSuRGTn

— Andy Wentland (@djcentos6) August 20, 2020

This is so devastating since we were just at Big Basin Redwoods State Park recently 😭😭😭 #CaliforniaFires #CaliforniaWildfires #prayforrain California's oldest state park now completely surrounded by fire zone https://t.co/ymC9rCve64 via @SFGate

— Tweetie 🐦 (@aboxofchocolate) August 20, 2020

QUICK REPORT from Vacaville, California where the WCK Relief Team is setting up in response to the #LNULightingComplex Fire, which has exploded to 124,000 acres and growing. Major evacuations are underway and we are ready to support. We’ve also activated 2 of our mobile kitchens. pic.twitter.com/ukVFcfgCSB

— World Central Kitchen (@WCKitchen) August 20, 2020