Several popular recreational areas previously closed due to the Cedar Creek Fire in 2022 are reopening.
The Willamette National Forest has eased the closure order for the areas in the Middle Fork Ranger District affected by the fire. This announcement comes as a welcome relief for those who have eagerly anticipated resuming their activities in the forest’s natural setting.
Beginning Sunday, the green light has been given to the Shadow Bay Campground, South Waldo Shelter, South Waldo Trailhead, Fuji Mt. Trailhead, North Fork Trailhead, Bunchgrass Trail, Huckleberry Flats OHV Staging Area, Verdun Trailhead, and High Divide Trailhead. Furthermore, hikers can rejoice as the well-trodden Pacific Crest Trail is now accessible to thru hikers.
However, Willamette National Forest (WNF) officials caution visitors that some of the reopened areas might not have been cleared or visited since the wildfire. Therefore, the forest’s visitors are urged to be aware of the inherent dangers within these burned areas. These risks include falling trees and limbs, unstable and uneven ground filled with holes from burned root systems, falling rocks, difficulty navigating through sections of the trail, and the potential for landslides, debris flows, and flash floods.
In response to these hazards, the U.S. Forest Service has drawn up a comprehensive list of safety tips for recreating in post-fire areas. Visitors are strongly urged to review this information to ensure their activities are as safe as possible given the current conditions.
There remain several campgrounds and recreation sites that will stay closed until further notice. These include North Waldo Campground, Islet Campground, Harrelson Horse Campground, Blair Lake Campground, Huckleberry Lookout, and Huckleberry Lake.
Further details regarding closures and other fire-related information can be found in the complete list of recreation sites and roads included in the Cedar Creek Fire closure order.
The Cedar Creek Fire, which started on August 1, 2022, was sparked by a lightning storm that ignited 20 to 30 new wildfires in the Willamette National Forest. The fire ravaged more than 127,000 acres, primarily in steep, inaccessible terrain situated about 3 miles west of Waldo Lake, to the north of HWY 58 and 12 miles to the east of the Oakridge community.
As the Willamette National Forest slowly recovers and reopens its areas to the public, officials remind visitors of the importance of safety and respect for the forest’s rejuvenating environment.