Below is a mass email that I received from my friend Kimberlee Staff. She is a docent for the Irvine Land Conservancy and leads regular rides through parks in Irvine.
Aside for the obvious pain that the fires have caused people in our community much of the land that we use everyday for riding/running/hiking is now destroyed. Please read her last paragraph as it is something that we can help assist with.
Andy B
outsideallday.com
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Hi Everyone-
I just got off the phone with the Irvine Land Conservancy who
manages Limestone Canyon for the Irvine Company. IRC said Limestone
is pretty much a complete loss as far as fire damage. There may be
some pockets remaining inside, but until all the fire is out, they
will not know for sure. The fire has also spread into some areas of
Whiting – as much as 1/3 is what they estimate right now. As you
may or may not know, Limestone and Whiting back right up next to
each other.
The fire started up by the spur gate area around where Santiago and
Silverado meet and went up Hicks Haul Road. It eventually jumped
the 241 and then spread south consuming all of Limestone as it
burned. All future activities in Limestone for the next two or
three months have been put on hold until the damage can be
assessed. New vegetation may need to be planted, i.e. seedlings and
seeds to assist in regrowth.
We can only hope the animals found safer places to be with all
this. Cameras will be set up again as soon as possible to monitor
activity. There were at least four active mountain lions in the
area, including one mother with two cubs.
Please check with the rangers at Whiting on when the park will open
again and do not ride in there until the park is open and ready for
us. If it ends up getting burned anywhere near like Santiago Oaks
did a few months back, it could be quite a while before it is open
to the public again.
Thanks,
Kimberlee Staff