Friends of the Columbia Gorge presented Hood River County officials with a check for $46,140 in donations from its members and the public in appreciation of the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Division aid to hikers threatened by the Eagle Creek Fire.  Over 150 hikers were trapped at the onset of the wildfire in the Gorge.  Friends Executive Director Kevin Gorman and board member David Michalek made the presentation at Monday evening’s County Commission meeting.  Friends launched the special appeal on September 3 as a way for members of the public to thank the County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Division for the work they did to help lead the hikers out of the fire area and reunite them with their families.  The appeal was quickly answered, taking only four days to raise the money.  Sheriff Matt English said the donations will help Search and Rescue enhance safety measures and bolster the effectiveness of its response.  In total, the Friends public appeal received gifts from 523 donors.