The Hood River-White Salmon Bridge will be fully closed to all traffic on Tuesday from 11 a.m. to approximately noon for a bridge lift to accommodate passage of the vessel Zorro. The bridge may reopen sooner if conditions allow. The closure is required under U.S. Coast Guard regulations, which mandate the bridge open with at least 12 hours’ notice from river traffic. For real-time traffic conditions, view the live bridge camera at portofhoodriver.com.
The Link To Make Service Adjustments After Measure 120 Failure
The Link Public Transit says it will make a couple of service reductions in the wake of the failure of Measure 120. In a statement, the agency said that beginning July 4, its South Wasco County Shuttle Service will be reduced from two days a week to Tuesdays only, and office hours will transition from seven-day operations to Monday through Friday only. The statement indicated The Link, like many transit agencies across Oregon, is facing financial challenges related to stagnant or reduced available funding, and with the defeat of Measure 120, operational adjustments are necessary to maintain long-term service sustainability within projected budget levels. Those with questions and concerns about the change can call The Link at 541-296-7595.
White Salmon Council Passes EV Infrastructure Ordinance
The White Salmon City Council on Wednesday passed an ordinance to require electric vehicle ready infrastructure in new residential construction that includes a garage, carport, or off-street parking space. The ordinance, which came out of White Salmon’s CityLAB committee, requires new residential construction to include sufficient circuit capacity to support “Level 2” EV charging. The ordinance does contain exemptions, including if Klickitat PUD certifies that sufficient power can’t be reasonably provided. Manufactured homes, affordable housing as defined by City codes, and dwellings of 800 square feet or less are also exempt. White Salmon previously adopted an Emissions Reduction Plan which identified EV-ready infrastructure in new residential construction as a priority. General demand for electricity and loads carried on Klickitat PUD infrastructure have been steadily increasing over time, but a meeting between City and PUD officials found the risk of creating a sudden or major need for infrastructure upgrades that would increase costs to ratepayers is low.
Wasco County Added To Mid-December Disaster Declaration
The Oregon Department of Emergency Management announced that Clatsop and Wasco counties have been officially added to the federal major disaster declaration for mid-December flooding and severe storms. The two counties were not included in the initial declaration issued in April, but additional documentation and continued coordination by county emergency managers and OEM staff resulted in their successful inclusion. The expanded declaration now authorizes federal Public Assistance funding for eleven counties impacted by the December atmospheric river event, which already included Hood River County. That supports eligible costs related to damaged roads and bridges, debris removal, utility impacts, and other public infrastructure losses. Record rainfall and high winds during the December storms caused widespread flooding, landslides, and mudslides across multiple regions of the state. At the peak of the event, more than 300,000 Oregonians experienced power outages and several major transportation routes were temporarily closed. A joint preliminary damage assessment documented more than $15.4 million in eligible public infrastructure losses statewide.
Food Security Assessment Finished
A regional Food Security Assessment developed by Oregon State University Extension and other agencies has been wrapped up, and data from it is becoming available. OSU Extension’s Lauren Kraemer says it’s an update of an assessment originally done in 2015. Kraemer says it shows for a number of different factors, demand at food pantries has doubled from what it was back then. Kraemer says with federal and state funding cutbacks to food programs, those numbers could trend further upward. She says a full report on the assessment will be issued in the fall.
Hood River Parks & Rec Camps Start June 22
Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District is taking registrations now for its various youth camps and activities this summer, including its popular weekly Summer Kidz Camps that start on June 22. Each week has a different theme. District Recreation Supervisor Jaime Rivera says they will be offering it for nine weeks, filled with fun activities. There are also specific sports and activity camps planned throughout the summer. The complete schedule is available at hoodriverparksandrec.org. Financial assistance is available.
Crews Put Out Fire In Klickitat County Wednesday
Fire crews in Klickitat County put out a Wednesday afternoon fire near the junctions of Highways 97 and 14. It burned approximately 100 acres, and was reported at about noon on Wednesday. Highway 14 was closed for about 40 minutes as a result of the fire. Klickitat County Rural Fire District 7 responded to the fire, which was brought under control within a couple of hours as forward progress was stopped. Crews from Wishram, Goldendale, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources also responded, along with the Washington State Police and Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office.
Wasco County Proclamation Honors Brady
Wasco County Commissioners this morning passed a proclamation honoring the late Phil Brady. Brady passed away two weeks ago on Election Day, with his name on the ballot seeking re-election to the County Commission. Commissioner Jeff Justesen read the proclamation honoring Brady’s legacy, and his dedication to public service, principled leadership, teaching young people, and steadfast commitment to improving the lives to all who call Wasco County home. It declared Wednesday as a day of mourning and remembrance in the County for Brady. Prior to reading the resolution, a number of people who knew and worked with Brady offered their remembrances of him, and his love of learning and educating.
New Fire Cameras To Be Installed In Wasco County
The University of Oregon Hazards Lab is expanding its wildfire detection network in Wasco County, adding new artificial intelligence-integrated cameras designed to identify smoke within minutes and improve early response. The Hazards Lab’s Nick Maggio says they are still working to determine the exact location for the three cameras that will be installed this year, with more to come in the future. There are already cameras located on Mount Defiance installed by Pacific Power, and on Stacker Butte and Juniper Butte put up in partnership with Klickitat PUD. Google is providing $250,000 to install and maintain the cameras in and near The Dalles. The cameras perform 360-degree scans every two minutes, using AI to flag potential smoke or fire activity. Those signals are then quickly and independently verified by two human reviewers before the precise coordinates are shared with emergency responders. With alerts reaching fire authorities in an average of five minutes, this technology enables faster response times and helps contain fires before they spread.
Fire Reported On Mt. Hood Forest
The Mt. Hood National Forest reports there has been a less than two acre wildfire near Forest Road 44 that ignited Monday night, about two miles up from the Highway 35 junction in rugged and steep terrain. Forest officials say firefighters have stopped the fire’s forward progression, and expect to contain in within the next day. Those at Nottingham and Sherwood Campgrounds, Tamanawas Falls, & Eightmile Trailhead may see smoke and fire traffic. Drive slowly in that area and watch for people. Surveyor’s Ridge hikers should use the north trailhead on FR 1700 instead of the south end on FR 44 for the next couple days. This fire is likely lightning-caused from last week’s storm system that brought lightning strikes across the Hood River & Barlow Ranger Districts.