A Jefferson County park reopened to the public Friday, a year after a wildfire scorched through the canyon.

Deer Creek Canyon Park reopened Friday morning following the Quarry Fire that burned through 579 acres of the area between July 31 and Aug. 7 2024, according to Jeffco Open Space (JCOS).

Black Bear Trail, an area northeast of Blackhawk, also reopened Friday after a seasonal wildlife closure to protect nesting birds of prey.

Visitors to Deer Creek Canyon are asked to remain on the trail as open space work continues on the area ravaged by the wildfire that raged for eight days just west of Ken Caryl. 

About 575 homes were under the mandatory evacuation during the week of fire last year, with another wildfire — the Alexander Mountain fire — burning west of Loveland in Larimer County at the same time. 

The Quarry fire damaged around 35% of park property, according to JCOS. The damage caused led to a need for fire suppression actions, trail tread maintenance needs and standing dead tree removal. It also caused erosion in burn areas.

JCOS secured more than $353,000 in funding from the Emergency Watershed Protection for helicopter mulch and seed drops, that took place from March 31 through April 2 to mitigate erosion on severe burn slopes.

The Alexander Mountain fire, on the other hand, damaged four homes and destroyed 29 homes and 21 outbuildings, according to investigators.

The fire began on July 29 and raged until Aug. 8, growing up to 9,668 acres and causing several evacuations.

Police eventually arrested 50-year-old Jason Hobby in connection to the fire, who is set for a preliminary hearing on Oct. 8.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office also announced that the Quarry fire was being investigated as a potential arson, with signs showing the wildfire was caused by a human.

No arrests have been announced in connection to the fire as of Friday, nearly a year later.

But hikers can now go back to enjoying the area.

The Denver Gazette reporter Jonathan Ingraham contributed to this report