The destruction from the Eagle Creek fire ripping through the Columbia River Gorge has been unreal. After five intense days, firefighters have reported Thursday they have finally begun to contain the fire. We have all sat back in shock as we watch the fire burn down one of Oregon’s most beloved destinations.
The historic Oneonta Tunnel, built in 1914 for cars traveling along the Historic Columbia River Highway has seen better days after being destroyed by flames. At this time, there is no word on when it will be restored and open again.
I never imagined as I was visiting here only a month ago we’d be seeing this now. With a 20 percent chance of rain Thursday, we could see some relief although the region is still under a “red flag” warning for lightning reported by The Oregonian.
The following are some photos showing the aftermath of the Eagle Creek fire, which appears to actually give us some hope as it may not be as terrible as we all imagined. At the height of the Multnomah Falls fire, our worst fears were the bridge burning and of course the lodge. As you can see below, they both still stand as our brave firefighters are there around the clock fighting this horrific fire.
Thank you
Very sad, but I am sorry for the boy how he must feel now too… Can you imagine?
I am not// How many firefighters risked there lives to put out the fire caused by “that poor little boy” At what point and what age and to what extent do people have to be held accountable for their actions. ?
That’s the problem…….feeling sorry for an act that ANYONE who has a modicum of a brain should have known better. Who lights fireworks when it is completely dry and has been for months? My 10 and 12 year old granddaughters kept asking this question, they are smart enough to know the danger. So, yes, by all means feel sorry for this “poor little boy” who displaced people from their homes for weeks, disrupted transportation of thousands of people for weeks, caused schools to be cancelled, closed businesses and risked the lives of hundreds of people because he wanted to play with illegal fireworks…..Frankly, I hope he pays dearly and hope his parents are held accountable as well.
Proxy Falls is not in the Columbia River Gorge; that eye-candy photo is demeaning to the Eagle Creek disaster.
the people who should pay 25K is the parents of the teen who set the fire or the state of Washington should pay for it letting a out of state person setting off fireworks because the state banned fireworks in Washington
Hopefully some involved teenagers get to be sentenced to a year’s tree replanting at the Gorge. In the 1960s – 1980s that was my refuge from the stresses of modern life until I could no longer hike from medical issues. It’s hard to believe that this refuge won’t be available for others for decades, but there it is. In my mind I can hear the breezes blowing through the trees there.