Columbia River Gorge Resilient After the 30,000-acre Eagle Creek Fire

"Despite burning for days, torching more than 30,000 acres and obscuring most of the area with thick smoke, the Eagle Creek fire has left some parts of the Columbia River Gorge intact and will potentially improve wildlife populations," reports Katie Shepherd.

"As the ash begins to settle in some areas burned by the fire started on Sept. 2, photos are revealing parts of the gorge that look to be untouched by the flames. Firefighters posed in front of Multnomah Falls on Wednesday morning to celebrate keeping the picturesque spot safe from the blaze," adds Shepherd.

Officials at the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife are even telling the public that the fire could have a rejuvenating effect for local wildlife populations.

Apocalyptic photos of fire tearing up the Columbia River Gorge, maps of the state blanketed in wildfires, and smoke from fires in western states enveloping the entire continent have offered a counterpoint to the flooding in Houston and the threat of Hurricane Irma. At least for now, it could have been a lot worse in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge.