FROM 2018
FIREWORKS: Just say no
Wildfire in Columbia River Gorge forced evacuations and closure of Interstate
Another fire, north of Beatty, OR, has burned more than 600 acres
Continue readingTeen who started Eagle Creek Fire ordered to pay $36.6 million in restitution
Above: 3-D map of the Eagle Creek Fire looking southeast, showing the perimeter at 7:30 p.m. PDT September 5, 2017.
A judge has ordered the teen who started the Eagle Creek Fire last summer to pay restitution totaling $36.6 million.
After a complaint from the teen’s attorney that the judgement was “absurd” District Judge John Olson said during the hearing on Monday that it was “clearly proportionate to the offense”.
The fire burned 48,831 acres in the Columbia River Gorge in September, 2017. Most of the fire was on the Oregon side of the river but a burning ember started a spot fire on the Washington side which was quickly extinguished. The fire required the extended closure of Interstate 84, forced hundreds to evacuate, and poured smoke into Portland.
The judge acknowledged that the teen will have trouble coming up with $36.6 million and allowed him to establish a payment plan. If he completes probation and does not have any additional offenses, after 10 years the court may grant a full or partial halt of the restitution.
Teenager accused of starting Eagle Creek Fire likely to get probation
The fire burned over 48,000 acres in Columbia River Gorge in September, 2017
Continue readingUpdate on Eagle Creek Fire in Columbia River Gorge
According to the Incident Management Team, the Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge on the Oregon/Washington border is nowhere near contained — they are calling it 46 percent.
The fire started on the south side of the river September 2, allegedly by a teenager playing with fireworks, and grew rapidly on September 5, spotting across the river into Washington near Archer Mountain.
Cooler temperatures and higher humidity levels helped slow fire growth over last week or so, and as of September 23rd, it is 48,668 acres.
These excellent photos were taken by the Incident Management Team this weekend. They show vast areas of burned trees but also large swaths of green canopy.
Clouds and high humidity affect Eagle Creek fire in Columbia River Gorge
Mapping flights the last two days were cancelled due to low clouds.
Continue readingEagle Creek Fire in Columbia River Gorge slows, but still adds over 2,000 acres
The fire has burned 33,382 acres, which includes a 209-acre spot fire across the Columbia River in Washington.
Continue readingEagle Creek fire burns structures and forces evacuations along the Columbia River Gorge
Above: 3-D map of the Eagle Creek Fire looking southeast, showing the perimeter at 7:30 p.m. PDT September 5, 2017.
(Originally published at 12:22 p.m. PDT, September 6, 2017)
The Eagle Creek Fire that has been burning since September 2 along the Columbia River Gorge just west of Cascade Locks on the Washington/Oregon border has merged with the nearby Indian Creek Fire, which together have blackened 30,929 acres. The blaze is about 10 miles east of the Portland suburbs.
Most of the fire is on the south side of the river in Oregon, but it has jumped across the river into Washington near Archer Mountain.
Six structures have burned and there is a report that at least one of them is a residence, with the others being outbuildings.
Several communities are under evacuation orders and a shelter has been established at Mt. Hood Community College, at 3691 NE 17th Drive, Gresham, OR. For information regarding evacuations in Skamania County, contact the Skamania County Emergency Operations Center at 509-427-8076.
Firefighters will be conducting burnout operations on September 6th from Bridge of the Gods to Bonneville Dam. There will be large plumes of smoke visible during the day.
Willamette Week reported that a Portland resident saw a teenage boy using fireworks that may have started the fire. On September 5 the Oregon State Police announced that a 15-year old boy from Vancouver, Washington is a suspect.