A hearing on proposed amendments to Klickitat County’s ordinance governing standards for RV parks was continued to September 15 to allow Planning Director Scott Edelman to continue to get legal consultation on provisions for allowing waivers to the County’s 60 day occupancy limitation to help alleviate workforce housing issues. Edelman noted there has been estimates of 500 to 2500 long-term construction jobs coming to Klickitat County in the next ten years as the proposed pump storage project, data centers, and wind and solar farms are constructed, and it’s already a challenge for those who get jobs in the County to find housing. Commissioners would like more specifics on how the limitation would actually be applied, and criteria to consider.
Man Found Dead In Vehicle On Gifford Pinchot Forest
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of an adult male whose body was found inside a vehicle in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Deputies responded Sunday to U.S. Forest Service Road 25-0210, after a vehicle was discovered concealed from view along a decommissioned forest road. During the investigation, a patrol sergeant found the man deceased inside the vehicle. With help from the Skamania County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, the body was recovered from the remote location. The Skamania County Coroner’s Office conducted the death investigation in coordination with the Sheriff’s Office. Investigators say preliminary evidence indicates the death was self-inflicted. They have found no evidence that anyone else was involved.
Grasshopper Fire Evac Levels Drop With Fire Activity
Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill has lowered evacuation levels in some areas that have been impacted by the Grasshopper Fire for several weeks. Officials say the change reflects increased confidence in containment along the fire’s eastern perimeter, following extensive suppression work. Fire behavior analyst Chris Belliston described most of Tuesday’s fire activity as “docile.” He says smoke from the Austin Fire helped shade the area and reduce fire activity. A large helicopter also dropped water on the Grasshopper Fire for about six hours, as firefighters took advantage of overcast conditions to slow the fire’s spread. Meanwhile, heavy equipment operators continued removing wood debris along Highway 35. The Oregon Department of Transportation provided traffic control during that work. The Grasshopper Fire has burned 93,806 acres and is 76% contained.
Look Out For Scams During Wildfire Season
As wildfire season continues, experts are reminding people to beware of disaster-related scams. In one survey from 2024, the Census Bureau found over three quarters of disaster survivors experienced a possible scam within a month of the event. Paul Griffo with A-A-R-P Oregon’s fraud prevention campaign says the most important thing to avoid any scams is to do some research before giving away money or personal information. Griffo adds imposter scams are the most commonly reported, data backed by the Federal Trade Commission. These could be fake contractors peddling home repairs or false representatives from known insurance companies. Griffo advises people independently verifying legitimacy through the Better Business Bureau or by contacting the company directly.
New Restrictions On Hood River County Forestlands
New wildfire prevention restrictions are now in effect in the Hood River County Forest, as fire danger remains high. The restrictions took effect at 12:01 Tuesday morning and include overnight closures. Camping and parking in the county forest are prohibited between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., except at Kingsley Campground, Tucker Park and Toll Bridge Park. All gates providing access to the county forest are also closed, including Post Canyon, Riordan Hill, Upper Binns Hill and Gilhouley. Motorized vehicles with combustion engines are prohibited on trails and gated county forest roads. All campfires are prohibited. Portable stoves and fire pits using liquefied or bottled fuel are still allowed in clear areas free of flammable vegetation. Users must have either a shovel and one gallon of water, or a two-and-a-half-pound fire extinguisher. A map showing gate closures is available at webmap dot hoodrivercounty dot gov slash trail. The county will announce when the restrictions are lifted. For questions, contact the Hood River County Forestry Department at 541-387-6888.
Garfield County Advises Klickitat County On Child Care
Klickitat County Commissioners continued their examination of how to fill child care needs in the County by talking with representatives from Garfield County about how they have gone about developing a facility set to open next year. Garfield County Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman told the Commission that hiring a child care navigator was a key first step in their efforts, sending a signal to the community and potential funding sources they were serious about establishing a new facility. That navigator, Alesia Richert, added there are numerous sources of funds available to help for a child care facility, but putting the plan together is necessary to tap those resources. She added it’s important to plan for keeping good employees, and to listen to the community to find out what it needs. Commission Chair Ron Ihrig pointed out the discussion came at a key time, as Klickitat County prepares to develop its 2027 budget.
Dallesport Sewer Rates Go Up
Klickitat County Commissioners approved a 10% increase of wastewater rates in Dallesport. That will move the base rate from $68.07 to $74.88. There will also be a small increase in the hook-up fee to $6,000. Commissioner Ron Ihrig said after holding a question-and-answer session with Dallesport residents last week, he said there are a few things the County needs to do, including visiting with Dallesport residents every six months to provide information about the system. County Public Works Director Jeff Hunter noted they will be applying for a loan or grant from the state for system upgrades “very shortly.”
Klickitat County County Commission Extends BESS Moratorium
Klickitat County Commissioners approved an extension of the moratorium on Battery Energy Storage Systems in some areas of the County’s Energy Overlay Zone to March 4 of next year. County Planning Director Scott Edelman says that’s to allow for more time to receive a report from legal consultants on a draft of an ordinance to deal with applications for those systems, adding those comments should expedite the process. Edelman says that includes comments incorporating the Energy Overlay Zone ordinance. He expects to receive the comments for the Planning Commission in September to set up a workshop in October and then a public hearing in November. The goal would be for the ordinance to come to the County Commission in January.
Grasshopper Fire Grows Slightly
The Grasshopper Fire has grown slightly and now covers nearly 93,800 acres. Containment remains at 76 percent. Fire officials say crews were prepared for another challenging day on the fireline, with rising temperatures, lower humidity and gusty winds in the forecast. Similar conditions Monday increased fire activity in two areas — the Boulder Creek area in the southwest corner of the fire, and the northwest corner east of Highway 35. Tethered logging operations are continuing to remove heavy fuels in steep terrain, while other logging crews are clearing wood and slash piles near Highway 35. On the eastern and southern portions of the fire, where containment lines have held, crews are planning rehabilitation work to reduce the risk of erosion and other environmental damage. Fire managers are watching for critically dry fuels to become more volatile today. Officials say tree torching is possible, and people may see more smoke than in recent days. Communities east of the Grasshopper Fire could also see worsening air quality today, with some areas reaching unhealthy levels.
Highway 197 Accident Leads To One Death, One Serious Injury
A fatal crash on Highway 197 at milepost 8 in Wasco County on Saturday afternoon claimed the life of a 21-year-old Dufur man and seriously injured a woman from The Dalles. Oregon State Police investigators say a car driven by 21-year-old Cameron Michael Bostick of Dufur was traveling southbound when, for reasons still under investigation, the car crossed into the northbound lane. The car collided head-on with a pickup driven by 35-year-old Breann Alyse Young of The Dalles. The OSP says Bostick was pronounced dead at the scene. Young was airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries. A four-year-old girl who was riding in the pickup was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Oregon State Police were assisted by the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Dufur Volunteer Fire and EMS, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.