PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Eagle Creek Fire was the top Oregon story of 2017 in an unscientific KOIN.com online poll.
In a choice of 5 major stories, you chose the fire that ravaged 50,000 acres in the Columbia River Gorge as the biggest story of the year, with 40% of the vote.
The solar eclipse was chosen by 33% of online voters, followed by the killings on the MAX train (nearly 17%), the early-year snow and ice storms (6%) and the pro- and anti-Trump protests (nearly 4%).
The Eagle Creek Fire erupted September 2 when a Vancouver teen allegedly sparked it with a firework. Within days, the fire spread through the Gorge and jumped the Columbia River into Washington.
More than a million people came to Oregon for the first total solar eclipse in the US in decades. The weather cooperated and the solar eclipse was a spectacular and awe-inspiring sight.
The horrific crime that happened on the MAX train as Memorial Day weekend began will continue into 2019. The trial for Jeremy Christian, accused of killing 2 people and seriously wounding a 3rd man, is slated to begin in about 18 months.
2017 began and ended with snow, though the storms in the first part of the year were unquestionably more severe.
And despite the political chaos and upheaval generated by the election of Donald Trump, only 3.82% of online voters said the unrest and riots were the biggest story of the year.
Who knows what 2018 will bring? Whatever it is, KOIN 6 News will be there.
