Forest and Lake gear up for holiday push

Buck Rock Lookout, Success Lake and the Sequoia National Forest will all be open this holiday weekend, the last summer holiday of the year.

In Porterville, there will be a Firehouse Chili Cook-Off from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Centennial Park on Main Street which will benefit the Children’s Hospital of Central California and the Porterville Firefighters Local 2169.

“All campgrounds will be open through the weekend,” said Denise Alonzo the public affairs officer for the Western Divide District of the Sequoia National Forest.

However, there are fire restrictions in the Sequoia National Forest.

In the Big Meadows area of Hume Ranger District and located 300 feet above the ground stands Buck Rock lookout. Located atop a granite dome this fire lookout will be blessed as Local Wuksachi -Wukchumni elder Eddie Tupishna Sartuche will perform a blessing ceremony at 10:30 a.m. Sunday.

Afterward, a Buck Rock celebration will commence with a barbecue, for a small donation, and fair with vendor crafts. The event will host children’s activities and special guest Smokey the Bear will be present as well. Visitors can also find out more information about the activities of this working fire lookout from fire watchers. An entrance fee will be charged at park entrance stations, but the event itself is free.   

As the summer season winds down guests in the Sequoia National Forrest are urged to be aware of their surroundings.

“The creeks start to run lower. For people fishing, realize that the water level is coming down,” stated Alonzo. However, for those that are camping this weekend the forest is under fire restrictions which will last until it receives an inch of rain. She added that open campfires are not permitted, and if visitors want to have a campfire they need to either have one in a developed campsite, or they may bring a gas stove that turns on and off. The latter requires a campfire permit.

Other restrictions include keeping motor vehicles on the roads and keeping mountain bikes on trails.

At Lake Success it’s business as usual.

Though the water level is currently at 7,800 feet, the water activities will not be affected as water skiing, fishing, boating, etc. will be allowed. The life jacket loan program will be in operation. However, guests are cautioned.

“Be careful. We do have islands or exposed things popping up,” said Michele McDonald, project assistant at Success Lake. All campsites are first-come, first-served. Night fishing, except from Rocky Hill, will be allowed with the proper lights. For those who wish to boat the lower water ramp at Rocky Hill and the South Tule ramp will be operable.

For more information on Buck Rock visit http://www.buckrock.org.