With the Beachie Creek fire sprinting toward Silver Falls State Park in the predawn hours of Sept. 8 it quickly became an all-hands-on-deck situation. But thanks to the speedy evacuation of campers, staff and livestock as well as the fire mitigation tactics developed in the days that followed, not a single life or structure was lost.
“Park staff and fire personnel developed strategies for firefighter access, preservation of critical infrastructure (e.g. water, communications, etc.), protection of historic resources and prioritization of historic structures for fire protection,” Park Manager Guy Rodrigue said of the work completed in the hours and days that followed the park’s closure.
“This evolved somewhat naturally from ‘protect the South Falls Lodge,’ to remove the historic paintings of June Drake, to ensure the alternate power supply continued, to function for the cell tower,” Rodrigue said. Adding, “You sort through rather quickly, what takes priority. After new fire data was available showing that the advance slowed, we revised strategies and added tasks that could be performed safely such as the removal of volunteer RVs that had been left behind. Currently the concern will be monitoring the fire behavior as conditions change.”
Because, although the containment lines – largely protecting the park from further fire damage – were considered to be complete on Sept. 14, the fire is still not 100 percent contained.
“Despite the fire being lined, there is a way to go before the fire is out and there is no more danger for park resources,” Rodrigue said. “For now, the burning areas of the park are suppressed. This is mainly a result of the weather and lingering smoke.
“As weather conditions change, the fire risk will change along with it. Obviously, that can go in either direction… The 2018 fire smoldered for approximately three weeks before it grew in size.”
Thankfully, the lasting fire threat, as well as the accumulated damage, is currently largely relegated to one area of the park – encompassing an estimated 100 of the parks 9,000 total acres. Less fortunately, that area does include two popular trails – the Catamount and Lost Creek trails – which are located in the southeast corner of the park.
“There will be some reconstruction needed along the Catamount Trail,” Rodrigue admitted. Noting, that the majority of the reparations have yet to be fully assessed.
“Much has to do with how hot the fire burned and the age of the timber,” Rodrigue said of the relatively minimal damage to the park’s ecosystem thus far. “From the initial assessment, we assume we’ll need to perform small salvage operations and reforestation work.”
In the meantime, with overall park conditions and hazard trees currently receiving assessment and the parks infrastructure – electricity, water and sewer systems – resuming, Silver Falls State Park reopened in stages beginning on Sept. 23.
“After another few successful days, the conditions at Silver Falls are continuing to look more and more promising,” Rodrigue wrote in a press release Sept. 19 – one day after soaking rains cleared much of the smoke that had been hanging low over both the fires and the park itself.
“Evacuation levels are continuing to ease and we have a clearer picture about what’s in front of us,” Rodrigue continued. “Park staff have been working diligently to return the park to an operationally ready status.”
The South Falls day-use area, the Canyon Trail, the Winter Falls Trailhead and the North Falls Trailhead all reopened Sept. 23, with the overnight facilities – the campground, cabins and Conference Center – planned for opening on Oct. 1.
The “backcountry,” as well as the 214 and Howard Creek Trailheads will remain closed until further notice.
“We feel optimistic as to where things stand today but we need people to be aware that the park still has hazardous conditions remaining from the wind event as well as active fire areas,” Rodrigue said. “I’d ask the public to be patient and give the firefighters time and space to respond to the demands placed on them.”
Because without the dedication and hard work of those firefighters – many of them community members with a deep affection for Silver Falls State Park – the park would not be reopening so soon.
“I would like to share my appreciation and give thanks to the local communities for their support,” Rodrigue stated. “The volunteer firefighters, food donations, and encouraging signs along the roadway reinforce the importance of this park and the impact it has on so many of us.”
Silver Falls State Park partially reopens
Currently Open:
• South Falls day-use area
• Canyon Trail
• Winter Falls Trailhead
• North Falls Trailhead
• South Falls Lodge Cafe
• Silver Falls State Park Campground
• Silver Falls Conference Center
Closed Until Further Notice:
• Silver Falls “backcountry”
• 214 Trailhead
• Howard Creek Trailhead
