Lassen Volcanic National Park (CA)
Bomb Scare Closes Main Park Road
On July 4th, park visitors reported seeing a suspicious device near the park road at Emerald Lake. The visitors described the device as a possible bomb. Rangers quickly responded and found a device composed of three copper-colored metal pipes with sealed end caps tied together with blue wire or twine, each approximately 12 inches long. The device was partially submerged within a culvert underneath the main park road. The rangers immediately closed the road and established a safety perimeter of one half mile around the site. The park's bomb plan was implemented, with fire and EMS units staged at the perimeter while the Shasta County Bomb Squad responded. Upon examination of the device, the decision was made to detonate it per their protocols. Afterward, it was determined that it was not an explosive device. [Submitted by Kelly Roche, Acting Ranger Operations Supervisor]