Eagle Creek Fire: Week Of Rain Ahead; Scientists Continue Restoration And Repair Assessments

CASCADE LOCKS, OR — The Burned Area Emergency Response team on Wednesday continued their work assessing what restoration and repair treatments will be necessary for returning the 48,800-acre Eagle Creek Fire burn zone to its pre-fire condition.

Made up of 20 people, from geologists and hydrologists to biologists and archeologists, these various scientists are determining how best to ensure the Pacific Northwest rainy season doesn't further damage Oregon's scenic Columbia River Gorge.

According to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, crews in the fire area are now focused on preparing streams for restoration work, restoring soils, and placing limbs and duff in areas at-risk of erosion.

Fire behavior was determined minimal during a reconnaissance flight Wednesday night that found some fire activity within the burn area, but nothing that poses a threat to containment, which at this time is holding at 46 percent. Infrared equipment provided a more accurate acreage estimate as well, placing the fire at 48,831 acres.

WATCH: Eagle Creek Fire Reconnaissance Flight On Sept. 23 (Uploaded Sept. 27):

Fire crews have increased once again for the repair phase and now number 195 personnel.

A week of rain forecasted for the Portland metro region could provide additional relief and help put the Eagle Creek Fire to bed, but it could also hinder restoration efforts by increasing the potential for landslides and mudslides once again. Previously, rain prevented crews from using heavy equipment to move logs and repair fire lines as the soil became too saturated for the heavy equipment to operate safely.

Photo Courtesy: Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, InciWeb