North Santiam Canyon Wildfire Information
August 18, 2022
Currently, there are no active wildfires in the Salem, Oregon region (Marion & Polk Counties) that currently affect travel within the region. Please be advised that could change quickly; Travel Salem will post any new information here as it becomes available. For up-to-the-minute travel information in Oregon, go to Tripcheck.com. You can also find information about Travel Alerts, Air Quality, etc, under the Wildfire Resources tab below.
Wildfire Information & Resources
Tips for Traveling in the Santiam Canyon Region
- Visit Tripcheck before you go for up-to-the minute traffic conditions, closures and alerts.
- Be patient and allow for extra time as clean-up and restoration continues. Due to limited services, you may experience longer lines and wait times for goods and services.
- Bring supplies (water, snacks) and a physical Oregon Road Map. Cell service is limited in parts of this region.
- Respect all trail and recreation site closures. They are in place for visitor safety and to help fragile ecosystems recover. Learn more about traveling in wildfire-affected areas >>
Overview of the 2020 Beachie Creek & Lionshead Fires
- In September 2020, the Beachie Creek and Lionshead fires ravaged more than 400,000 acres in Marion and Linn Counties – making it one the largest combined wildfires in Oregon’s history.
- In Marion County, the fires claimed five lives and destroyed more than 700 homes, structures and businesses in what is known as the North Santiam Canyon (NSC), a 670-square mile area east of Salem that includes the towns of Lyons/Mehama, Mill City, Gates, Detroit and Idanha, as well as the communities of Breitenbush, Elkhorn, Fox Valley, Marion Forks and Niagara.
- The fires also resulted in severe damage to many popular outdoor recreation sites (campgrounds, parks, trails, and some North Santiam River access points) – in the Santiam State Forest and Willamette National Forest areas north of Hwy 22.
- As a result of the extensive damage, many recreation areas will remain closed through the summer of 2021 (at least) as agencies and individuals work to clean up, rebuild and make the sites safe and accessible for public use again.
What’s OPEN in the North Santiam Canyon*
- Hwy 22 (between Salem and Bend) is open to thru traffic in both directions. Be advised that the speed limit has been reduced in some places as crews continue clean-up and restoration. Travelers should expect minor delays.
- Retail operations, stores and restaurants in Mill City are mostly open. You can find gas, supplies and food items in Mill City, however, be aware that as you continue east on Hwy 22, some businesses remain closed. See this Statesman Journal article for details >>
- Detroit Lake State Recreation Area & campgrounds are open. While more than 70% of public buildings in Detroit were destroyed, Detroit Recreation Area (along with eight reservable campgrounds), marinas and a grocery store have re-opened. You can also find food trucks as temporary replacements for some of the restaurants that burned.
- Detroit Flats Day Use Area & Mongold Day Use Area (Detroit Lake) are open.
- Parks. Mill City's downtown park, Kimmel Park, North Santiam State Park, John Neal Park and the Lyons/Mehama boat ramp are open.
- The North Santiam River. Some main access points are closed (see below) but many parts of the river are open this season for fishing, boating and kayaking this summer.
- Elk Lake Campground, Humbug Campground and Fox Creek Group Campground have re-opened (as of August 15, 2022).
- Stahlman Peak and Tumble Ridge Trail have re-opened (As of August 15, 2022). See this Statesman Journal article for more info>>
For more information about the status of specific recreation sites, visit:
- Willamette National Forest Recreation Status Map (scroll down to the Recreation Conditions Report for a list of trails and campgrounds that are open and closed)
- Oregon’s Recreation Site Status Map
What’s CLOSED in the Santiam Canyon*
- Six Marion County Parks & North Fork Road. Niagara, Minto, Packsaddle, North Fork, and Salmon Falls Parks, and Bear Creek Park and Campground are closed. Access to North Fork, Gates Hill, and Pioneer Roads is limited to property owners and their guests, contractors and agents. More details >>
- Santiam State Forest. Much of the Santiam State Forest remains closed. Shellburg Falls and Monument Peak trails will remain closed all summer. State forest roads that provide access to Butte Creek Falls are also closed.
- Opal Creek/Breitenbush/Mount Jefferson. Perhaps the largest closure in the state impacts the areas north of Highway 22 and includes popular sites such as Opal Creek, Breitenbush, the areas north of Detroit Lake and all the way across the northern half of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. More details >>
- Parts of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The PCT is closed from the northern intersection of Trail 3440 north of Pamelia Lake in the Willamette National Forest to near Triangle Lake north of Olallie Lake in the Mt. Hood National Forest. More info >>
For more information about the status of specific recreation sites, visit:
o Willamette National Forest Recreation Status Map (scroll down to the Recreation Conditions Report for a list of trails and campgrounds that are open and closed)
o Oregon’s Recreation Site Status Map
How to Help
If you’d like to help those affected by wildfires or assist in the restoration, go here:
o Santiam Canyon Wildfire Relief Fund
o Oregon Community Rebuilding Fund
o The American Red Cross, Cascades Region
o Cascade Volunteers
*These sections are not intended to be all-encompassing lists of open and closed amenities but to serve as a general guide when visiting the North Santiam Canyon region following the 2020 wildfires. Travel Salem makes every effort to ensure information is up-to-date and accurate, however, changes may occur that we are not immediately aware of. If you have specific questions, please call our Visitors Center at 503-581-4325 or email information@travelsalem.com.