Eagle Creek Fire: 'Smoldering, Creeping Fire' All That Remains, State Fire Officials Say

CASCADE LOCKS, OR — Heavy rains along the Interstate-84 corridor and significant snowfall around Mt. Hood Tuesday brought relief to the remaining fire crews in the Columbia River Gorge as they continued to work smoldering, creeping fires throughout the Eagle Creek Fire's 48,600-acre burn zone.

Now estimated at 46 percent contained, the fire has just more than 240 fire personnel still working in the area, Oregon State Fire Marshal officials said Wednesday; and over the past 24 hours, those crews have reportedly held the fire's growth to around three acres.

The Oregon Department of Transportation reopened westbound lanes on I-84 this past weekend, though eastbound lanes from Hood River to Troutdale remain closed out of safety concerns. Fire Marshal officials said soil and hydrology specialists will continue to monitor conditions in the area "to assess public safety." With heavy rain falling on areas now void of vegetation, the potential for landslides and flash floods increases.

A flash flood alert was in place through 12 p.m. Wednesday, as National Weather Service forecasters call for dryer conditions to close out the week.

Evacuations lifted for Multnomah County, parts of Hood River County.

Good news came to residents in both Multnomah and Hood River counties Monday, as public safety officials in both areas lifted evacuation alerts. All evacuation orders for Multnomah County and the Hood River Valley have been rescinded, officials said. Only residents in Cascade Locks, Wyeth, and Viento remain subject to Level 1 alerts for possible flash floods along the Interstate-84 corridor.

Image via Oca Hoeflein, whereinthegorge.com