Although the Cedar Creek Fire burned perilously close to Sun Mountain Lodge, the lodge sustained only smoke damage.
Sun Mountain Lodge and the Freestone Inn are moving toward reopening after extensive cleaning of all rooms and facilities to remove the smell of smoke after the Cedar Creek Fire came perilously close to each resort.
The landscaped grounds around Sun Mountain were untouched by the fire, although there’s evidence of fire prevention efforts where crews cleared vegetation and did a gradual burnout to consume fuels on the slopes near the lodge. Trails near the lodge provide glimpses of the fire-fighting and of more intense burns on Virginia Ridge and the extensive trail network near Thompson Ridge Road.
At the Freestone, the fire scorched Sandy Butte just behind the inn, where scars are visible on the hillside, Freestone General Manager Marvin Sutton said.
The rehab entailed a rigorous cleaning of all buildings, indoors and out, using filters to eliminate the smell of smoke from rooms and the ventilation system. All furniture is being replaced and rooms have been repainted.
Both facilities have been closed since July.
Sun Mountain plans to reopen on Oct. 16. The Freestone is still awaiting some new furnishings and will open on Nov. 1, although they may have a soft opening the third week of October, Sutton said.
