On Friday, October 22, flooding occurred along Highway 97 beginning north of the City of Weed.
After the Lava Fire devastated the area over the summer, burn scars—remnants of burned-out tree stumps and debris—left acres of land previously covered in foliage barren.
With the recent rains coming to the Northstate as a part of the atmospheric river storm, burn scars are a dangerous catalyst for flooding and mudslides. According to CalTrans officials, the flooding began at approximately 3 a.m., resulting in the partial closure of Highway 97 from Big Springs Road to County Road A12.
CalTrans PIO Chris Woodward urged drivers to stay cautious and cognizant when driving in burn scar areas.