Fire Burning In CA's Big Basin Scorches 7 Acres

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, CA — Firefighters returned to Big Basin Redwoods State Park on Sunday to fight a brush fire in an area that took heavy fire damage during last year's devastating CZU Lighting Fire.

The fire burned 6.7 acres of fuels near the Hihn Hammond Truck Trail, according to Cal Fire. Firefighters arrived to battle the blaze around noon. The fire was contained as of 9:24 p.m. Sunday and an engine stayed overnight, Cal Fire announced on Twitter.

No injuries have been reported and no structures are threatened, according to Cal Fire.

Helicopters made water drops over what firefighters dubbed the "Basin Fire."

LATEST: Copter 106 from @Calfirescu is making water drops on the #BasinFire, which is burning roughly 1/2 acre on Hihn Hammond Truck Trail in Santa Cruz County. CAL FIRE CZU was dispatched at 12:11pm. This is burning within #CZULightningComplex burn area. pic.twitter.com/XXC6BPrKwC
— CAL FIRE CZU (@CALFIRECZU) May 2, 2021

Last summer, Big Basin was almost completely erased in 2020's lightning-spurred wildfires. In just one day, 97 percent of the park was scorched. The massive fire also destroyed buildings that had stood in California for 120 years.

The fire took out camping spots, visitation centers, restrooms, bridges and everything that has characterized the historic park and made it accessible to visitors.

The park is currently closed to the public to give the land, resilient redwoods and vegetation time to heal.

Bay City News contributed to this report.