While county parks in Linn County largely survived the fire damage from last summer, other area parks were hit much harder, leading to closures of some of Oregonâs most popular natural gems. One of the areas most affected by the 2020 Labor Day fires was the Opal Creek Wilderness, which is completely closed to the general public.
Not only is access limited due to burned bridges and downed trees along the road to the trailhead, the recreation areas themselves still have hazardous conditions that mean theyâre unsafe for normal activities. A trip to Salmon Falls County Park on Thursday revealed that downed trees and dead standing timber were indeed all over.
Much of Opal Creek Forest Hit Hard by Beachie Creek Fire By Zach Urness | March 8, 2021
SALEM, Ore. (AP) One of the most beloved destinations in Oregon looks a lot different following the blowup of the Beachie Creek Fire.
Large swaths of the 34,000-acre Opal Creek Wilderness and Recreation Area burned after historic winds turned a small fire into an inferno Labor Day night.
The fire destroyed the bridge over Henline Creek the main access point from Salem and Portland. It also killed many of the trees, including old-growth giants, on Henline Falls, Little North Santiam and Opal Creek trails and in the surrounding area.
Much of Opal Creek forest hit hard by Beachie Creek Fire
ZACH URNESS, Salem Statesman Journal
March 6, 2021
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SALEM, Ore. (AP) One of the most beloved destinations in Oregon looks a lot different following the blowup of the Beachie Creek Fire.
Large swaths of the 34,000-acre Opal Creek Wilderness and Recreation Area burned after historic winds turned a small fire into an inferno Labor Day night.
The fire destroyed the bridge over Henline Creek the main access point from Salem and Portland. It also killed many of the trees, including old-growth giants, on Henline Falls, Little North Santiam and Opal Creek trails and in the surrounding area.