Fossil Creek

A burned prickly pear clings to rocks near Fossil Creek 16 months after the Backbone Fire ravaged the area.

Burnt vegetation along Fossil Creek Road, 16 months after the Backbone Fire. The area was reopened to the public last month.

Fossil Creek Road runs through Coconino National Forest. The Popular spot for swimming and hiking reopened last month after the Backbone Fire tore through the area.

Sediment buildup following post-fire flooding near Fossil Creek. The area was ravaged by the Backbone Fire in June 2021.

A charred landscape in Coconino National Forest. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

A charred landscape in Coconino National Forest. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

Matthew O'Neil, a fish bioligist with U.S. Forest Service, walks through an area ravaged by the Backbone Fire. The area offically opened to the public last month following a 16-month closure.

A charred landscape in Coconino National Forest. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

Kayla Long, an NAU graduate student, talks about the area that was burned from the Backbone Fire. The area offically opened to the public last month following a 16-month closure.

A charred landscape in Coconino National Forest. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

Kayla Long looks over a charred landscape in Coconino National Forest. The area offically opened to the public last month following a 16-month closure.

A charred landscape in Coconino National Forest. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

A charred landscape in Coconino National Forest. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

An insect crawls on a rock in Coconino National Forest, a reminder of the wildlife that remains following the Backbone Fire.

Matthew O'Neil, a fish bioligist with the U.S Forest Service, points to areas ravaged by the Backbone Fire. The area reopened to the public last month after a 16-month closure.

A charred landscape in Coconino National Forest. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

A charred landscape in Coconino National Forest. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

A car drives along the 14-mile long Fossil Creek Road in Coconino National Forest. The area was ravaged by the Backbone Fire in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

17 months following the Backbone Fire, new life emerges from the ground in Coconino National Forest.

A charred landscape in Coconino National Forest. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

Matthew O'Neil, a fish biologist with the U.S Forest Service, looks out to an area ravaged by the Backbone Fire. The area was officially reopened to the public last month following a 16-month long closure.

A charred landscape in Coconino National Forest. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

The Backbone Fire destroyed utility infrastrucre that runs through this area of Coconino NAtinal Forests. APS replaced wooden beams and other infrastructure following the June 2021 blaze.

Sally May, a popular spot for swimming, has changed drastically since the Backbone Fire tore through the area in June 2021. Post-fire flooding pushed sediment into Sally Mae causing water to shallow in many areas.

Remenants of the Backbone Fire remain 17 months after the blaze tore through the area.

Remenants of the Backbone Fire remain 17 months after the blaze tore through the area.

Sally May, a popular spot for swimming, has changed drastically since the Backbone Fire tore through the area in June 2021. Post-fire flooding pushed sediment into Sally Mae causing water to shallow in many areas.

Sally May, a popular spot for swimming, has changed drastically since the Backbone Fire tore through the area in June 2021. Post-fire flooding pushed sediment into Sally Mae creating a sand bar.

U.S. Forest Service signage for  Fossil Creek wild and scenic river. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.
 

Post-fire flooding triggered by monsoons caused sediment buildup along Fossil Creek. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

A bridge that crosses Boulder Canyon shows sediment that was not present before the Backbone Fire tore through the area in June 2021. The area offically reopened to the public last month.

Post fire flooding, triggered by monsoons, pushed several feet of sediment into Boulder Canyon completely covering the rocks below. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

Matthew O'Neil, stands next to a bridge that crosses Boulder Canyon. Before the fire he could walk under the bridge but post fire flooding, triggered by monsoons, pushed several feet of sediment into Boulder Canyon completely covering the rocks below. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

Post fire flooding, triggered by monsoons, pushed several feet of sediment into Boulder Canyon completely covering the rocks below. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

Trees damaged by post-fire flooding, triggered by monsoons, following the Backbone Fire. The area offically reopend to the public last month.

Native grass is begining to retun to Coconino National Forest, 17 months after the Backbone Fire ripped through the area.

Post fire flooding, triggered by monsoons, pushed several feet of sediment into Boulder Canyon completely covering the rocks below. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

Trees show the former stream banks along Fossil Creek. Post fire flooding, triggered by monsoons flooded the area and altered stream banks.

A charred landscape in Coconino National Forest. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

Power lines run though Coconino National Forest. APS had to replace critical infrastructure following the Backbone Fire.

A branch marks the height of flood waters following post fire flooding triggered by monsoons. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

A rope swing hangs over shallow water near Fossil Creek. The water below has changed depths following sediment runoff entering the water from post fire flooding. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

The first half of the hike to Fossil Creek Waterfall shows the scars of the Backbone Fire that tore through the area in June 2021. The area offically reopened to the public last month.

A view of Fossil Creek near Boulder Canyon. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

Trees toppled by post-fire flooding along Fossil Creek. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.

Riparian vegetation grows along Fossil Creek. The Backbone Fire ripped through the area in June 2021 and officially reopened to the public last month.