On Sept. 2, 2017, a fire started along the Eagle Creek trail in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Fueled by vegetation that had not experienced rain in 83 days, the fire quickly took hold and spread to over 48,000 acres—jumping the Columbia River and scorching healthy forests in both Washington and Oregon.
The fire burned 50,000 acres, and burned for three months, before being declared completely contained.
| Eagle Creek Fire |
|---|
| Date(s) | September 2, 2017 – November 30, 2017 (embers still burning, but contained) |
| Burned area | Approx. 50,000 acres (202 km2) |
| Cause | Illegal use of fireworks |
| Perpetrator(s) | Teenage minor |
A wildfire burning in Klickitat County has almost doubled in size since Saturday, now covering more than 17,000 acres. While firefighters made progress in containing the fire on its west flank, the blaze spread to the east. The fire is 15 miles northeast of Goldendale.
The Eagle Creek Fire swelled overnight Tuesday, burning more than 4,800 acres and threatening numerous structures along the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge. Another spot fire of nearly 100 acres is burning on the Oregon side near Rooster Rock State Park and Multnomah Falls.
How to Donate or Volunteer
- Make a $10 cash donation to the Red Cross by texting CAWILDFIRES to 90999 or visit
- Donate atccfoodbank.org to the Central California Community Food Bank to help feed fire evacuees.
The fire is seven miles east of Dufur, Oregon and 11 miles southeast of The Dalles. The Wasco County Sheriff's Office ordered evacuations affecting 70 to 100 residents. The fire is on Wrentham Market Road burning wheat and brush in the Columbia Rural Fire Protection Area.
â€The primary causes of our low level smoke in the metro area, yesterday and today, are likely the Bull Complex and the Middle Fork Complex," said McGinness. The Bull Complex Fire is burning in the southern part of the Mt. Hood National Forest between Clackamas and Marion counties.
National Weather Service meteorologist Marc Spilde said Saturday that the change in air quality stems from winds carrying smoke from the growing fires in Southern Oregon — primarily the Jack fire burning east of Roseburg in Douglas County.
Smoke from Willamette NF fire streams into Bend; air quality improves from 'hazardous' level.
Haze often occurs when dust and smoke particles accumulate in relatively dry air. When weather conditions block the dispersal of smoke and other pollutants they concentrate and form a usually low-hanging shroud that impairs visibility and may become a respiratory health threat.
Basic Information
| Current as of | 9/2/2021, 7:22:33 AM |
|---|
| Cause | Human |
| Date of Origin | Monday July 05th, 2021 approx. 05:01 PM |
| Location | Steamboat Substation East Illahee flats substation along Hwy 138. |
| Incident Commander | Mike Goicoechea, Northern Rockies Team 1 |
Why Is the Air Quality Bad Today in Portland? Weather plays a big role in how the air quality is in Portland each day. The amount of sun can affect how much ozone there is, and wind and rain can affect PM2. 5 and particulate air pollution to varying degrees.
The Lyle Hill fire started just NE of Lyle, WA on July 12, 2021. The fire is 90% contained and was turned back over to the Department of Natural Resources.
The Riverside Fire started in the Mt. Hood National Forest, and is determined to be human-caused because there is no record of lightning strikes in the area around that time. The vast majority of wildfires are human-caused, with the only two natural causes of wildfire being lightning strikes and volcanic activity.
Most people who start fires won't face federal charges. The state will also charge those who ignite the fires with infractions or misdemeanor criminal charges for the fires burn state lands, but will defer on most of that to county prosecutors, the AG's office says.
Officials say the fire was caused by lightning on July 6. As of Friday, July 23, the fire has already burned 400,389 acres, which translates to nearly 626 square miles — an area larger than the city of Los Angeles.
The fires burned near the community of Rowena, in between the towns of Mosier and The Dalles. The Wasco County Sheriff's Office said crews arrived just before 11 a.m. and found three separate fires within a one mile stretch. Nearby resources from Dallesport, Dufur and Hood River helped contain the flames.
Fire in Oregon's forests. But fire suppression practices over the past 100 years have created overly dense forests, fueling bigger and more destructive wildfires. Climate change may be another reason Oregon's wildfire seasons are getting longer. People start a large number of wildfires in Oregon.
The fire was started by a then-15-year-old boy using fireworks. The boy pleaded guilty to 12 charges including burning on forest land. He is required to complete about 2,000 hours of community service and pay almost $37 million in restitution.
