Bidwell The Town at Bidwell's Bar - Fire Bidwell Area 2020

The new Bidwell Bridge connects the North (left) and South (right) Bidwell Hills shown in the foreground at each end of the bridge. The site of the 1856 Bidwell's Bar Suspension bridge was located about one-half mile downstream from the existing bridge.

The North Complex, West Zone fire included an area of 84,595 acres during Septmeber-October of 2020. The fire burned over the entire area seen in the two photos. The before and after fire photos were taken by Gonzalo Peewee Curiel. The second photo taken on October 10, 2020, shows the aftermath of the wildfire. Smoke and haze from the still burning fire is visible in the photo.

Photos taken by Gonzalo Peewee Curiel and used with his generous permission.

A March 2021 view of the North Bidwell Hill shows nature’s spring work of restoring the burned area of last summer. A profusion of California poppies and green grass starts the recovery. Over-time other vegetation will re-sprout and the hardy oaks once again leaf-out. Highway 162 from the Oroville area, on the left, crosses the new Bidwell Suspension Bridge to the north Bidwell Hill’s patches of wildflowers.

Aerial Photo by Gonzalo Peewee Curiel, use by his generous permission.

From the ground and air the beauty of the area surrounding the New Bidwell Bridge shows a new beginning after the fires of 2020. The South Bidwell Hill and Stringtown Mountain are visible beyond the bridge. Spring rains in the mountains are needed to fill Lake Oroville to full capacity.

Thank you, Morgan Karno for permission to use your beautiful photo.

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