Much of Opal Creek forest hit hard by Beachie Creek Fire
ZACH URNESS, Salem Statesman Journal
March 6, 2021
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SALEM, Ore. (AP) One of the most beloved destinations in Oregon looks a lot different following the blowup of the Beachie Creek Fire.
Large swaths of the 34,000-acre Opal Creek Wilderness and Recreation Area burned after historic winds turned a small fire into an inferno Labor Day night.
The fire destroyed the bridge over Henline Creek the main access point from Salem and Portland. It also killed many of the trees, including old-growth giants, on Henline Falls, Little North Santiam and Opal Creek trails and in the surrounding area.