Oak Creek Canyon reopens after closure due to fire

azfamily.com

Posted on October 7, 2014 at 2:45 PM

Updated yesterday at 5:15 PM

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) -- Gates are now unlocked and tape has been taken down in much of northern Arizona's Oak Creek Canyon with the reopening of many areas that were closed nearly three months because of a major wildfire.

That's good news for visitors and businesses alike, the Arizona Daily Sun reported.

The threat of flooding prompted the Forest Service to close its land within the canyon in July, but most developed recreation sites, vehicle pullouts, swimming holes and hiking trails reopened last week.

The heaviest monsoon rains skirted the area during late summer, so there was little flooding.

Operators of businesses serving visitors are pleased to have the canyon reopened.

"It's starting to feel like a normal fall," said Frank Garrison, owner of The Butterfly Garden Inn and a critic of the closure.

Much of the canyon located between Sedona and Flagstaff wasn't scarred by the nearly 33-square-mile Slide Fire, but thousands of acres inside the canyon and above its rims were.

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Oak Creek Canyon reopens after closure due to fire