Living With Fire
Building long-term resilience for the Columbia Gorge

Shortly after the fire’s start, Friends of the Columbia Gorge launched a special initiative to assist community partners, educate the public and advocate for the policies and programs needed to rebuild trails and aid the forest’s natural regeneration. Many of our Eagle Creek response programs, in turn, have drawn and built upon Friends' efforts to protect and enhance the outstanding resources and communities of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area over the past three decades.
According to numerous studies, the Northwest will see increasingly drier summers in future decades due to climate change. In 2018, the Gorge has seen several blazes with the Substation and South Valley fires east of The Dalles combining to burn over 90,000 acres in a matter of days. A smaller fire at Memaloose, near Mosier on the Oregon side of the Gorge, threatened many residents' homes.
The Gorge is an interconnected place, where trails and recreation intersect with communities and the wilderness. It is also a resilient place. And building on the efforts launched in the aftermath of the Eagle Creek fire, Friends will continue to advance the programs and policies needed to strengthen long-term resilience and steward the Gorge in an age of increased wildfire danger.
Living With Fire Resources
Stepping Up for Land Stewardship
Friends and partners have created a public lands stewardship program to stop the spread of invasive plants as hikers return to trails.
Learn How You Can HelpWorking to Stop the Walden Clearcut Bill
Friends launched an advocacy campaign to stop the Walden clearcut bill and other pending proposals that might weaken current Gorge protections.
Learn How You Can HelpEducating Hikers on the Trails
Friends and partners have expanded a program placing friendly volunteers at popular trailheads in the Gorge and Mt. Hood areas.
Learn How You Can HelpRethinking Trails and Transportation
Since the fire, Friends and partners have explored new approaches to reduce congestion and help local communities.
Learn About Gorge Towns to TrailsAfter the Smoke Clears Forums
Watch videos of presentations by fire ecologists at community educational forums about the effect of wildfires on forest ecosystems.
View VideosFire Articles and Analysis
View an archive of all fire-related news and analysis generated by Friends since the outbreak of the Eagle Creek fire.
Read MoreAvailable Gorge Hikes
With many areas of the Gorge closed to the public, we offer an up-to-date list of open trails and recreation areas.
View ListFire Response and Recovery Initiative
Friends received an increase in donations after the fire. Here's how we are using the public's fire-related gifts.
Learn MoreCaretakers of the Gorge
In collaboration with Swanson Studio, a portrait and interview series of people representing a cross-section of Gorge resilience.
View ProfilesLiving With Fire Community Forums
Friends hosted special presentations in Hood River and Portland around the first anniversary of the 2017 Eagle Creek fire.
Learn More and Attend