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AirTalk

What were they thinking? Bad behavior led Lake Elsinore to shut down poppy field

By AirTalk Staff
Published Mar 18, 2019
LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 12: People visit a ‘super bloom’ of wild poppies blanketing the hills of Walker Canyon on March 12, 2019 near Lake Elsinore, California. Heavier than normal winter rains in California have caused a ‘super bloom’ of wildflowers in various locales of the state. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images)
People visit a ‘super bloom’ of wild poppies blanketing the hills of Walker Canyon on March 12, 2019 near Lake Elsinore, California.
(
Mario Tama/Getty Images
)
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What were they thinking? Bad behavior led Lake Elsinore to shut down poppy field

Thousands of visitors rushed to the colorful hillsides in Lake Elsinore this weekend.

The overwhelming amount of tourists made the trip to see the super bloom of California golden poppies, but the “Disneyland size crowds” led the city of about 66,000 people to retreat by shutting down access to Walker Canyon. City officials said Lake Elsinore could not sustain the influx of people and the circumstances

, calling the situation a “poppy nightmare” and  “poppy apocalypse.”

Some visitors ignored official signs and trekked past designated areas, while others plucked poppies from the hillsides.

The city is evaluating options to address the inundation of visitors.

Guest:

Steve Manos, mayor of Lake Elsinore