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*         ADVISORY - NATURIST ACTION COMMITTEE            *
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* Bob Morton, NAC Chairman/Exec Dir:    ctnudists@aol.com *
* Charles Harris, NAC Bd Member:        harrisnat@aol.com *
* Scootch Pankonin, Gov't Affairs:      scootchdc@aol.com *
* Dennis Kirkpatrick, Online Rep:            nat@tiac.net *
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DATE: October 27, 1999

STATE: California

SUBJECT: DEEP CREEK HOT SPRINGS

1. DEEP CREEK HOT SPRINGS REMAINS CLOSED DUE TO FIRE
2. RUMOR OF NUDITY BAN AT DEEP CREEK HOT SPRINGS IS FALSE
3. WARNING OF DANGEROUS AMOEBA AT DEEP CREEK HOT SPRINGS

All Naturists:

The Naturist Action Committee advises you of the situation at Deep 
Creek Hot Springs, a traditional clothing optional recreation area 
located in the San Bernadino National Forest of California. 

CLOSURE DUE TO FIRE
The inferno of late August, dubbed the "Willow Fire," resulted in 
the charring of more than 16,000 acres within San Bernadino National 
Forest. Although trees and other vegetation immediately surrounding 
Deep Creek Hot Springs escaped the ravages of the fire, areas above 
the springs and upstream from it suffered greatly. The fire consumed 
brush and grass that normally hold the hillsides in place, increasing 
the chances of falling or rolling rocks.

Water flow is predicted to increase by 10 to 70 percent in the streams 
that feed Deep Creek, and there is a possible increase in sediment 
ranging from 300 to 1,400 percent.

The Forest Service has begun recovery efforts by installing erosion 
barriers, mulching along road slopes and planting willows in streams, 
with the primary goal of reducing the potential for flooding and erosion.

As has been reported elsewhere, the worst of the burned area will 
remain closed until at least May or June, 2000, when an assessment 
following the region's wet season will determine the schedule for 
reopening the area.


RUMOR OF A BAN ON NUDITY WHEN THE SPRINGS REOPEN
There has been a rumor circulating recently that when the springs do 
reopen, the Forest Service will be enforcing a ban on nudity there.

This rumor is false.

NAC has been in contact with local Forest Service officials who assure 
us that there is no plan whatsoever to limit nudity at Deep Creek Hot 
Springs. 


WARNING OF DANGEROUS AMOEBA
NAC's discussions with the Forest Service have turned up a situation 
about which Naturists must be made aware.

According to Forest Service information, bathing in the Hot Springs 
pools of Deep Creek can expose a person to the risk of an extremely 
rare but potentially fatal disease called primary amoebic 
meningoeucephlitis (PAM). The disease is related to exposure to an 
organism called Naegleria fowleri, which is found in soil surrounding 
the springs and which thrives in warm fresh water.

Information from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers 
for Disease Control points out that N. fowleri exists throughout the 
environment in soil, water and air. It is by no means unique to Deep 
Creek Hot Springs or limited to that site.

PAM can be a serious disease, especially among those who are 
immunodeficient. However, fewer than 100 cases of PAM have been reported 
in the United States in the 28 years since the disease was recognized. Unfortunately, two of those cases were reported at Deep Creek Hot Springs. 
A 1971 case resulted in a fatality. There have been no reports of PAM at 
the springs since 1978. Official warning signs have been posted at the 
springs to advise users of the potential danger.

Note that none of the above should be taken to constitute medical or 
legal advice. This is an advisory based on information provided to, and 
research done by, the Naturist Action Committee.

The Naturist Action Committee is the political action arm of The Naturist Society. For more information, contact NAC at:

   NAC
   P.O. Box 132
   Oshkosh, WI 54903

TEL (512) 282-6621
FAX (512) 282-2503
www.naturistsociety/nac