Oak Creek Ready to Welcome Visitors Again After Wildfire
After months of closure due to a wildfire threat, Oak Creek is set to reopen to the public this Thursday, according to the U.S. Forest Service. The scenic waterway, situated north of Sedona, had been off-limits since June when a wildfire posed significant dangers.
The Pocket Fire, which consumed over 27,000 acres, came dangerously close to Oak Creek Canyon and nearby communities. It was fully contained by late July, alleviating immediate concerns.
Recent monsoon rains have helped mitigate the situation by flushing ash and burned materials through Oak Creek, thereby lowering the chances of flash floods in the canyon. Interestingly, the Forest Service highlighted that only a small portion of Oak Creek’s watershed was affected by the blaze, meaning the flash flood risks are comparable to previous years.
However, certain areas remain off-limits. The West Fork watershed and the Call of the Canyon area are to stay closed until October 1 due to ongoing flash flood risks. Likewise, several trails and day-use zones, including Bear Sign, David Miller, Dry Creek, H-S Canyon, and Secret Canyon, will not be accessible until the same date.
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