Cover photo courtesy of Adam Gebauer
The Upriver Fire that burned through Camp Sekani Park on June 16 seems like a lifetime ago after the more recent and apocalyptic Spokane Complex Fires in early August. Both fires unfolded during hot, windy conditions and quickly spread through grass, brush, timber and into neighborhoods. The human-caused Upriver Fire ultimately burned 213 acres, destroyed 14 homes and four other structures and forced thousands of residents to evacuate. Tragically, the fire also claimed the life of one person. After a massive response by local, state and federal firefighters, the Upriver Fire was fully contained within days, but the impacts on the affected community and Camp Sekani Park forest and trails will persist for years.
City of Spokane Parks and Recreation Communications Manager Fianna Dickson says that the timeline is still unknown as to when the Camp Sekani Park area and trails will re-open east of the top of Beacon Hill, noting that Department of Natural Resources hazard mitigation work in the area was ongoing as of early September, 2026. Once DNR has completed their work, Dickson says Spokane Parks will work with partners at Evergreen East on trail restoration that will be necessary to open trails in the affected area.
On a more positive note, Dickson says that Camp Sekani Park will see its trailhead reshaped over the next year for the better, with work planned to start this fall, as part of Make Beacon Hill Public Phase II, a joint project between the City of Spokane and Spokane County. Work at Camp Sekani is slated to begin first, running from September 2026 through summer 2027, before crews shift to John H. Shields Park. Planned upgrades include an expanded trailhead parking lot, a new three-stall restroom building, upgraded lighting and fencing and new trailhead cameras. The timing of specific trail and parking lot closures will depend on both fire mitigation work at Camp Sekani and the construction schedule, so visitors should watch for posted signage.
In the meantime, if you are a rider, runner or hiker who loves the forest and trails at Beacon Hill and Camp Sekani, consider becoming a member of Evergreen East, the nonprofit organization that helps build and maintain this incredible trail network. And mark your calendar for Eastoberfest, an Evergreen East race and fundraiser set for Oct. 11 at Minnehaha Park near the currently closed Camp Sekani Park trailhead.
