The Eagle Creek Fire ignited on Saturday, September 2nd 2017. Approximately 150 people were on the Eagle Creek Trail when the fire erupted.

Dozens and dozens of hikers began to congregate at Punch Bowl Falls as they began to weigh their options and to decide what to do next. Overhead a helicopter dropped a canister to the group that contained two notes. The first said the fire was growing fast and that everybody needed to start heading down toward the Columbia River. The second said to ignore the first message; that we can see you and to stay put. The second note said DANGER.

With the rapidly growing fire now blocking their path to the trailhead, it was decided that the best course of action would be for the group to head further up the trail to meet up with rescue personnel who could then escort them out to safety. After hiking 11 miles Sharon Steriti, Trail Crew Leader from the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, was the first person to reach the group. Dressed in her Forest Service uniform, she was a welcome sight for the weary group where she set about to instantly put them at ease by handing out food and supplies.

Guided by the glow of smartphones, headlamps and flashlights, Sharon led the group of 143 people and two dogs just past Tunnel Falls, where they would stop to rest for the night.