Collapse of Bucks Lake Lodge roof

Friends of Bucks Lake Lodge created this fundraiser.

Yet another tragedy has hit Plumas County. Bucks Lake Lodge was crushed by heavy snow on March 19, 2023. Owners Louis Gutierrez and Rebecca Jo Baugh Guereque were out of town when it happened. Louis’ father died 6 months ago, and his mother died March 6. Louis and Rebecca were in Los Angeles for the funeral. Then his sister died unexpectedly on March 15. They were driving home from her funeral when they got the news about the lodge. They have suffered unimaginable loss.

Louis and Rebecca have owned Bucks Lake Lodge and motel for over 16 years. A fire destroyed the lodge in 2010 and they rebuilt in 2013. Plans were designed by an engineering company in Susanville and it passed all building codes and inspections. The snow load was engineered at 1.5x what is required at Bucks Lake.

While they were in Los Angeles for the funerals, they contacted friends who were going to shovel the roof but it was too late. The roof collapsed and there is major damage. It is unknown if any part of the structure can be saved.

As many of us who live in forested areas are finding out, the cost of insurance is outrageous and unaffordable. California Fair Fire Insurance was $40,000 per year with a $100,000 deductible but it wouldn’t cover the lodge, only the motel. There is no insurance for the lodge damage.

They had a buyer for the lodge and were ready to sign a contract when the roof collapsed, so now the deal is not going through. They had hoped this would be the year they would retire.

Louis and Rebecca have always been known to help anyone who asked or was in need. They supported the Sheriff’s Dept., Fire Department, snowmobile club and many others. Financial hardship hit them hard over the last few years due to COVID, and then three forest fires essentially shut down their business due to closed roads, with the last fire closing their business from the beginning of July through the end of September.

Please help these good people who are now financially struggling. We are asking the people of Plumas and neighboring counties to step up once again to help. Any donation, no matter how small, will help and will be deeply appreciated. You can also help by sharing this link with your contacts: https://gofund.me/8effcec5