6/17/2024
Oregon – Official Release: The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is reopening one of the true gems of the state forests’ recreations areas, Butte Creek Falls, on June 21.
The drive into the recreation area goes though ridges and valleys of burned and blacken trees from the 2020 fires. The deadly Beachie Creek fires killed several people, destroyed homes and scorched more than 400,000 acres. However, near the recreation area the trees turn green and the area around the upper and lower waterfalls are lush and untouched by fire.
“We were really fortunate the fires skipped over this area,” said Joe Offer, ODF’s Recreation Program Manager. “The trailhead and the paths to the two sets of falls are open, so is the camping area and the 100-yard shooting range.”
ODF recreation staff and work crews from the South Fork Forest Camp (A jointly run facility by ODF and the Department of Corrections) and the DOC’s Santiam Correctional Institute have been working hard to get the area open after being closed for nearly four years.
“There was a lot of vegetation and debris on the trails,” said Offer. “But thanks in large part to the adults in custody crews they are cleared and just last week they repaired one of the foot bridges. The crew had to transport the lumber, tools, and a generator down the trails to get the job done.”
Another major improvement was made after the 2020 fires but is just now opening.
“The 100-yard shooting range was a joint project with Trash No-Land,” said Offer. The non-profit dedicated to responsible target shoot works to improve safety and reduce fire risks at dispersed ranges across the state. Funding for the improvements came from the NRA’s Public Range Fund. The range is located on Butte Creek 615 Road just off the Butte
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