For Immediate Release: 1/18/2023

California State Parks Urges Public to Stay Away from Mattole Road in Humboldt Redwoods State Park

Contact:
Keven Harder
Supervising Ranger
(707) 845-6171


WEOTT, Calif.—
One day after California State Parks closed Mattole Road in Humboldt Redwoods State Park due to storm damage and the risk of a potential landslide, the department is reminding the public to stay away from the area and releasing new photos of the buckled road.

The closure is located 1.5 miles west of the juncture with Highway 101. Mattole Road runs west from the highway at the confluence of the south fork and main stem of the Eel River, then traverses the park before making its way out to the Lost Coast. The road was closed on January 17 due to ground subsidence from saturated soils over the past month’s heavy storms. The shifting soils have led to buckling of the road surface.

While Humboldt Redwoods State Park west of the closure is currently off-limits to the public, law enforcement continues to patrol the area. This is an active situation, and the extent of the damage or stability of the roadway is currently unknown. There is potential for a landslide and drivers and pedestrians should stay well away in case of emergency. The best detour for drivers on the west side of the closure is to go west and north on Mattole Road towards Ferndale, then connect to Highway 101 from there.

There is no current estimate for when the road will reopen. However, Park geologists and engineers will assess the road when it is safe to do so and will decide on the next steps. California State Parks will apprise the public about the estimated reopening date as soon as the assessment and road reconstruction plan is in place. Up-to-date information will be provided at the park’s website: parks.ca.gov/HumboldtRedwoods. The public is also urged to check road closures at Caltrans’ website: QuickMap.dot.ca.gov.

State Parks staff assesses damage to Mattole Road in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which has buckled from the recent storms. Photos from California State Parks.
State Parks staff assesses damage to Mattole Road in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, which has buckled from the recent storms. Photos from California State Parks.




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