Eagle Creek Fire: Could Week-Long Rain Storm Finally Snuff The Fire?

CASCADE LOCKS, OR — Officials overseeing the Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge on Friday said the forthcoming week of rain could "further diminish fire activity" within the 48,800-acre burn zone, which since beginning on Sept. 2 is now 46 percent contained and holding.

Scientists spanning a wide range of specialties spent time in the burn zone this week assessing what repair and reconstruction work will be needed to return the heavily trafficked tourist and hiker area to its pre-fire condition. The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team, made up of 20 biologists, hydrologists, archeologists, and others, have reportedly made good progress developing what emergency rehabilitation work will need to be completed. Officials said a draft assessment is expected early next week.

While the rain once again is helpful for reducing the flammability of fire fuels, it also causes problems with fire crews' ability to effectively continue work using heavy equipment. Rain along the now-exposed burn scar creates erosion hazards and increases the possibility of landslides and mudslides. Crews will reportedly work as quickly as possible before the expected week-long storm begins in earnest.

Nearly 200 people are still working the fire area, officials said.

The Eagle Creek Fire reportedly began on Sept. 2 after a 15-year-old boy from Vancouver, Washington, allegedly dropped a firecracker into the dry Eagle Creek Canyon. Oregon State Police have yet to name the teen and have also indicated they may never do so out of concern for the boy's safety, based on threats made against him and his family.

Photo Courtesy: Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, InciWeb