This is because last summer, the Quarry Fire occurred in this area. The wildfire started on the night of July 30 until August 9th, 2024, and burned 579.6 acres out of the park's total 1,637 acres. It was a very worrisome time for our neighborhood, but we were fortunate that the firefighting suppression response was exceptional, and there were no high winds during the fire to allow embers to fly many miles. Deer Canyon Park consists of steep slopes, rocky terrain, and elevations ranging from approximately 5,886 to 7,510 feet, with grasslands, shrublands, and dense mixed-conifer and ponderosa pine forests, so fire supression was an ongoing challenge. Over the next 7 days, firefighting resources arrived from around the Denver metro area and beyond.
Aircraft brought water and fire retardant to where they were most needed on a fire. We were fortunate that there were a few nearby reservoirs in our area. Air Tankers also dropped fire retardant foam on the fire. In addition, bulldozers and wildland firefighting vehicles, and two special "Hotshot" fighting teams also helped with the fire abatement in the high, rocky, steep hills. All of these hardworking teams were our heroes! There was no loss of life or property, and soon after, the hard year-long work of restoration began.
"Known damage to the park included fire suppression actions, trail tread maintenance needs, standing dead tree removal, and erosion due to severe to moderate burn areas. Urgent water quality protection repairs have already been made to bulldozer lines on both the east and west sides of the park. The Jefferson County Open Space secured over $353,000 in funding from the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) for helicopter mulch and seed drops, which took place from March 31 through April 2, 2025, to mitigate erosion on severe burn slopes. More than 10,000 pounds of native seed-mix, some of which was sourced from JCOS parks, and 60,000 pounds of straw mulch, as well as the pelletized hydro-mulch that was applied, will help stabilize the slopes in the most erosion-prone areas of the park, ultimately helping protect Chatfield Reservoir from sediment runoff."
My husband and I decided to hike a few trails in the park last weekend, beginning with the "hiker only" Meadowlark Trail, to see the results of all the restoration work.
It was so wonderful to see wildflowers growing all along the trail!
Tall native grasses were also thriving, and even more wildflowers!
The higher we climbed in elevation, the views became more spectacular. We could see the city of Denver in the far distance!
When we reached the Meadowlark Trail summit, we could see some of the remaining fire damage, both along the trail and in the distant foothills.
I took the short video above at the summit looking towards the canyon and some of the wildfire area.
As you can see from the remains of the wildfire damage, the restoration work continues, and the full opening of the park is expected to be August 1st, 2025. You can also see how difficult fighting a wildfire on these high, rocky elevations where venomous rattlesnakes and wild animals such as mountain lions and black bears also roam!
As we drove back home, we felt a bit exhausted, but also very grateful to have done the hike, to see nature recovering. We also felt grateful to all the first responders for the excellent job they did combating the wildfire, and the Jefferson County Park Service for all their diligent ongoing restoration work.
THANK YOU TO ALL!
This is such a beautiful and hopeful post! It's incredible to read about the resilience of nature and the amazing work done by the first responders and restoration teams at Deer Creek Canyon. Seeing the wildflowers and native grasses thriving after such a challenging event truly highlights the power of dedicated effort. Thanks for sharing this inspiring story of recovery!
ReplyDeleteDeer Creek Canyon looks beautiful! Nature is amazing. We suffer from wildfires here too but our countryside always recovers. You saw some lovely flowers on the trail.
ReplyDeleteHello Pat,
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post! I am thankful for those firefighters.
It is wonderful to see the restoration and the pretty wildflowers that are growing along the trail. Take care, have a wonderful week!
Great info and photos of the park. Thanks for the explanation of the fire and restoration work. Loved the wildflowers.
ReplyDeleteThat snapshot of downtown Denver in the distance -- I especially enjoyed that. Brought back memories of when I have seen that very view with my own eyes. My late hubby used to work in a building tucked into Deer Creek Canyon.
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like such a lovely hike! I didn't really know anything about restoration effects after a wildfire so this was interesting to read.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how it comes back! THat fire photo is fabulous (except for the destruction part) #ThruMyLens
ReplyDeleteI am so glad it has reopened, I can imagine you visit often, it is a beautiful park! Visiting from #MMBC!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of the park.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing the backstory on the fire and regrowth.
The wildflowers are stunning.
Nature never ceases to amaze me it is resilient.
ReplyDeleteAt the moment in both the UK and Europe there have been wildfires due to the extremely hot weather we have been experiencing. I applaud the firefighters and all who help in situations like these terrible fires and their aftermath.
I found your post quite hopeful and enjoyed seeing your photographs.
Thank you.
All the best Jan
I'm continually amazed at how resilient the land is. More so than people and things, I think. I remember those fires. I suspect you already have a go-bag packed for the summer fire season but I hope it is a wise precaution that isn't needed. (Were seeing one of the areas where a tornado hit summer before last start to grow in again. It gives one such hope, doesn't it?)
ReplyDeleteMother Nature always fights to come back..
ReplyDeleteThis informstions are important and interesting to read for me. Current we have in Germany great fires too. It's terrible for this area and the people who live there.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing at MosaicMonday
and thank you very much for leaving a comment.
Greetings by Heidrun
...Pat is refreshing to see the area recovering from the fires. Unfortunately fires are going to be more of a problem as the earth gets hotter.
ReplyDeleteIt's great that they jumped right on the rehab work. It looks like things are coming along nicely.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful scenery and nice to see the area recovering. Thank you for linking up.
ReplyDeleteNature does recover. The flowers are gorgeous. Thank you for showing us that there is always hope. Happy Trails!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. The wildfires are a concern where I live as well. I guess the good thing is ultimately the trees will grow back.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos! It's amazing to hear how the park is bouncing back.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely gorgeous pix.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful blog
ReplyDelete