Spokane Reopened Camp Sekani Following Upriver Fire
The park was closed for three months after a massive blaze damaged the Beacon Hill area in June 2026.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Accidents
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Spokane Parks and Recreation has officially reopened Camp Sekani to the public following a three-month closure. The park was shuttered after the Upriver fire charred over 200 acres of the Beacon Hill area in June 2026.
Why it matters
The closure was necessary to ensure public safety after the intense wildfire destroyed 14 homes and tragically claimed the life of 83-year-old Marilyn Haugen. Repairs were required to clear hazardous debris and restore trail safety.
The park restoration involved clearing hazardous trees across 200 acres and replacing the Leap of Faith trail feature. While the park is open, the main parking lot remains closed due to ongoing construction.
The players
Spokane Parks and Recreation
This is the municipal agency responsible for maintaining city parkland and public facilities.
Department of Natural Resources
This government organization manages forest health and wildfire mitigation efforts.
Marilyn Haugen
She was an 83-year-old resident who tragically died as a result of the Upriver fire.
Evergreen East
This organization acts as an advocacy and stewardship group for local trails.
The details
City crews and the Department of Natural Resources worked to remove fallen timber, while volunteers filled pits and cleared limbs from trails. Two wooden features on the Peterbuilt and Leap of Faith trails were destroyed during the fire, with the latter having been replaced.
Timeline
June 2026: The Upriver fire burned 200 acres of the Beacon Hill area.
Late September 2026: Camp Sekani officially reopened to the public.
Legal Context
The park reopening follows the 2026 Upriver fire, which serves as a major precedent for local disaster recovery protocols in Spokane. The cleanup phase marks a departure from the restricted access enforced during the immediate fire-response period.
Residents can now access the trails at Camp Sekani, though they should be aware that the parking lot remains closed for paving and expansion. Officials and volunteers will continue to monitor the area for falling debris following future wind storms.
The takeaway
Visitors to Camp Sekani should exercise caution as the landscape remains in a recovery state after the fire. It is recommended that hikers stay on marked trails to avoid potential hazards from remaining debris.
Further reading
Find more updates on area recovery efforts in our Accidents section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Spokesman Review.
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Should your community prioritize rapid restoration of public parks following fire damage?
