Stanislaus County’s $2.5M project to repair park damage from massive wildfire
Stanislaus County is moving forward with a $2.5 million project to repair fire damage at Frank Raines Park.
The SCU Lightning Complex Fires destroyed park amenities and facilities in the park’s day-use area and off-highway-vehicle park in August 2020. Frank Raines Park has offered a variety of activities in the Diablo Mountains, 20 miles west of Patterson.
The county will rebuild three structures destroyed by the massive wildland fire, including a pole barn for storage, the ranger station and restrooms. The project also will replace equipment, supplies and several hundred feet of fencing, said Tera Chumley, county director of parks and recreation.
According to a county staff report, the fire-damaged buildings have been demolished and hazardous ash has been removed.
The county plans to invite bids from prospective contractors in the second half of June.
Stanislaus County has received more than $2 million in insurance payments to cover costs of demolition, cleanup and the rebuilding project. An insurance claim for an additional $497,000 is expected the bring the total to $2.5 million.
The Frank Raines day-use, campgrounds and off-road park are open with limited services, and drivers are warned about possible hazards and obstructions on Del Puerto Canyon Road, which is the route to the park. There are no flush toilets or water service at the park. The restrooms are locked. The Deercreek Campground has portable toilets.
There is no cell phone service at the park. Riders use the off-road-vehicle area at their own risk.
The fires in August and September 2020 charred close to 400,000 acres in western Stanislaus, Santa Clara, Alameda and other counties. More than 220 structures were destroyed and six people were injured.
The county park was pounded by torrential rain in winter 2022-23, resulting in Del Puerto Creek flooding that damaged the water system at Deercreek Campground, Chumley said.
Heavy rainstorms the following year fouled up water-system repairs that were underway. Chumley expects water service will restored in June or July.
The county is looking into options for communication service for customers at Frank Raines Park.
