Fires continue to rage in Columbia River George. It’s hard to imagine the normally wet george, which holds North America’s largest concentration of waterfalls (including 77 that are officially named) actually burning. The blaze was started by a 15 year old boy with some fireworks. It’s easy to blame the boy; but in reality we need to look at the causes behind the changing climate and increasingly regularity of these abnormal fire conditions. It’s been such a nightmare fire season right across BC and Alberta in Canada and throughout the US Pacific North West. In BC it has been by far the worst on record in terms of hectares burnt along with scores of long standing all time temperature records being smashed this summer. Here is hoping the wet micro climates in these side gullies protect some of the more fragile parts of what is often considered Oregon’s crown jewel. All we can do now is wait and see. Last light at Wahkeena Falls, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon, USA.
Spahats Creek Falls make for an impressive sight as it plunges 73m (240ft) down to the canyon floor below. The canyon formed due to large volumes of glacial meltwaters pouring over the edge of the Clearwater Valley at the end of the last ice age 11,000 years ago. Spahats is an indigenous term for bear and the stream is also known as Bear Creek. Wells Gray Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada.
Enjoying the sunshine at Emperor Falls. The falls sit at 5,300 feet (1,600 m) high and cascade a total distance of 46 m (150 ft). Mount Robson Provincial Park, British Columbia, Canada.
