By FireRescue1 Staff
COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE, Ore. — A group of firefighters are working to fix the damage a wildfire caused to a river gorge.
KPTV reported that Forest Service firefighters are putting in the grunt work to restore the trails of the Columbia River Gorge that were covered by rock slides seven months after the wildfire tore through the area.
“We’re just flipping rocks,” Forest Service trail crew supervisor Dawn Stender said. “It’s not rocket science, this piece of it. It’s just a little bit dangerous, definitely exhausting work.”
Firefighters have spent weeks using pick axes and lifting rocks with their hands to clear out the trails.
“It’s going to be hard to go through and really make sure the entire network is safe for the public,” Forest Service spokesperson Rachel Pawlitz said.
Crews have restored around 10 percent of the trails in the area, and Stender said the job has been rewarding.
“After a hard day’s work, it’s nice to look back and say there’s a gorgeous trail behind us,” Stender said. “It’s exhausting, but I think we’re all really passionate about it and just as excited as anyone else to get the trails back open too.”
Despite efforts of firefighters and volunteers, some trails will be closed for years and may need to be rerouted through severely damaged areas.