Fire Effects of Park Fire in Upper Bidwell Park

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Here is a video that was posted recently to YouTube by a user who goes by Brandon Beans. It includes a sporty flight over Upper Park, and some slower views of the area where the Park Fire was ignited.

The video shows mixed severity fire effects in Upper Park. Many of the blue oak trees which were scorched by the fire will resprout from their crowns and not be killed. In live oak-dominated areas which burned hot, the trees will resprout from the base. Bay trees will also resprout from the base. Burned gray pine will not resprout, but the fire opens the cones of the trees, releasing the seeds.

Mixed fire severity in Upper Park below Sentinel Rock. Many of the blue oak trees here will survive and resprout. Radiant heat from trees which were already dead and down can cause damage to nearby trees.
View over the fire’s area of origin. The fire spread quickly upslope to the North Rim of Bidwell Park.
Mixed severity burn above Salmon Hole, on Big Chico Creek.
Mixed severity burn above Salmon Hole, on Big Chico Creek.
Mixed severity burn above Salmon Hole, on Big Chico Creek.
Mixed severity burn above Salmon Hole, on Big Chico Creek.