The Eagle Creek Fire was reported September 2nd at approximately 4 p.m in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area near the town of Cascade Locks, Oregon. Reportedly caused by teenagers playing with fireworks during a burn ban.
By the morning of September 3rd, the fire had covered over 3,000 acres. More than 150 hikers were trapped on the Eagle Creek Trail and were forced to spend the night in the mountains. Many of the hikers had gone up the Eagle Creek Trail on Sept. 2nd before the fire had broke out.
On September 5th, the fire hopped the Columbia River Gorge into Washington State near Archer Mountain. Air quality was officially moved to unhealthy ratings due to increased smoke and up to one inch of ash falling in the Portland Metro area.
On the morning of September 6th, the Eagle Creek Fire had merged with the Indian Creek Fire, which had been burning weeks before the Eagle Creek Fire started. Due to the two fires merging, the Eagle Creek Fire grew to an area of more than 32,000 acres. At this time the fire is still 0 percent contained and is causing level 3 evacuations all across the Gorge.
By September 27th, the Eagle Creek Fire had burned more than 40,000 acres in the Columbia Gorge and was 46% contained.
By October 13th, the fire was 50% contained and had burned over 48,000 acres. Fortunately, minimal fire growth was expected and most of the fire suppression to repair efforts had been completed.
The Eagle Creek Fire burned close to 50,000 acres in the scenic Columbia River Gorge. Some areas in the gorge are still off-limits to the public as of November 7th, 2017. Certain hikes, like the Angel's Rest hike, will not be open for almost 2 years due to the fire damage and risk of landslides.