Oregon: Santiam, McKenzie Canyons Reopen to Welcome Campers Two Years After Wildfire Closure

East of Salem and Eugene in the Willamette National Forest, a sizable area of public land that was previously shut down by wildfires, which included the 2020 Labor Day fires, has reopened.

People will be able to camp at some locations, hike trails, and visit popular locations that have been closed in the McKenzie and Santiam canyons for the first time in two years.

It is a reopening with special restrictions because numerous roads and well-liked recreation areas are still closed.

The Beachie Creek, Lionshead Fire, and Holiday Farm Fire of 2020, as well as other wildfires that have consumed the areas over the past two years, all received updated closure maps from the U.S. Forest Service.

On Monday, updated closure maps that show where people can and cannot wander were published online.

Over 188,641 acres total were released from fire closures by the Forest Service.

In the Detroit region, they also reopened Humbug Campground, Elk Lake Campground, and Fox Creek Group Campground.

Duane Bishop, the acting Willamette National Forest Supervisor, said that it is now suitable to reopen these areas after taking care of the most crucial rehabilitation work, and providing info for visitors about environmental hazards.

Along with the campgrounds, well-loved trails above Detroit Lake like Tumble Ridge Trail and Stahlman Peak are now accessible.

Although the lookout won't be available for rent this year, the hike heading to Gold Butte Lookout is still open.

Additionally, Breitenbush Road 46 is a car-friendly route for about 11 miles prior to actually switching to a non-motorized route at the Mount Hood National Forest boundary.

For the time being, the famous North Fork Road through the Little North Santiam Canyon and access to Opal Creek beyond that area remain closed.

Mount Hood National Forest is still gated and closed.

Opal Creek, Mount Jefferson Wilderness Areas

The situation is complicated, but the backcountry and areas like the Mount Jefferson wilderness and Opal Creek areas are open.

Except for the Pacific Crest Trail, which is anticipated to reopen in late August, the Forest Service reported that all land and trails within the two said wilderness areas are open.

The problem was that most of the roads leading to popular tourist destinations are closed and most likely will remain so for some time.

In other words, people can get to places such as the northern Jefferson wilderness, and Opal Creek, but getting there might be extremely difficult.

People are advised to choose activities which is within their comfort level to be safe, as the areas affected by the fire that have reopened may have hidden dangers and make rescue operations more difficult.

In general, the Forest Service advised people to exercise caution and be aware of the difficult terrain they will encounter if they venture into the backcountry.

Visitors should anticipate a different experience in areas that were affected by wildfire and now have been reopened.

This might include eroded slopes with no signage, blocked roads and trails from fallen trees, difficult-to-navigate burned tree stands, and trail sections that are missing, Statesman Journal noted.