Firefighters contained a brush fire Monday at the Port of Dallesport on East Dock Road near the old log deck. According to the Dallesport-Murdock Volunteer Fire Department, the fire started when a front-end loader caught fire. Flames spread from the equipment to a large pile of old sawdust and bark chips before extending into nearby dry grass and brush. Firefighters also reported hearing several explosions, believed to have been caused by the loader’s tires and fuel barrels involved in the blaze. Dallesport crews arrived quickly and began attacking the fire, with numerous other agencies coming in to assist. Fire crews worked together to contain the blaze, and keep it from spreading. Once the fire was under control, the scene was turned over to Taylor Trucking to complete extinguishment of the burning bark chip pile.
Man Dies In Fall From Cliff Near Punchbowl Falls
A 19-year-old man from Kennewick has died after falling from a cliff near Punchbowl Falls in the Eagle Creek drainage. The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called just before 7:30 a.m. Saturday, after another hiker reported the man had fallen between 50 and 80 feet from a cliff above the falls. Deputies, along with members of the Crag Rats and Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, responded to the scene and confirmed the man had died. Investigators say the victim had left the trail and was attempting to climb down the rock face to the base of the waterfall when he fell onto the rocks below. The Hood River County Medical Examiner assisted with the recovery, and the Sheriff’s Office says the death has been ruled a tragic accident. Next of kin have been notified. More than 20 volunteers took part in the recovery operation, which required a technical rope rescue and lasted several hours.
HR County Commission Discusses Revenue Options
The Hood River County Commission held a nearly two-hour brainstorming session focused on revenue options as it deals with both short-term and long-term budget challenges. It was in the aftermath of receiving a report two weeks ago from consulting firm Baker Tilly on the County’s operations and fiscal future. Commissioners asked staff to concentrate on four different possibilities, most notably a long-discussed prepared food and beverage tax concept, along with evaluating the feasibility of a permanent public safety district to remove that sector from the general fund, and layering a County transient lodging tax onto what is currently being collected. Commissioner Arthur Babitz pointed out the need to connect services that would be paid for with new revenue generation. If the County wants to put a prepared food and beverage tax on the May 2027 ballot, they would need to have it ready by February.
Truck Sparks Small Brush Fire Near The Dalles Country Club
A delivery truck fire sparked a small brush fire near The Dalles Country Club Monday afternoon. Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue says crews were dispatched just after 12:10 p.m. to Highway 30 after reports of a vehicle fire spreading into nearby grass. When firefighters arrived, they found the delivery truck fully engulfed in flames, with the fire extending into the surrounding vegetation. Multiple engines, brush units, water tenders, and command staff responded and were able to contain the fire before it spread farther. With hot, dry conditions and high fire danger continuing across the region, Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue is reminding everyone to use extra caution with anything that could ignite a wildfire.
Pinchot Forest Issues Closure For High Lava Fire
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has issued an emergency closure for the High Lava Fire, burning northwest of Stabler and west of the Trapper Creek Wilderness. The closure is in place to protect public safety and give firefighters and heavy equipment room to work. It’s expected to remain in effect through October 31st. Closed areas include the West Crater Trail, the West Crater Trailhead, and the Soda Peaks Trailhead. The Soda Peaks Trail is still accessible from the Trapper Creek Trailhead. Both motorized and foot access are prohibited within the closure area. The closure also includes several roads near the fire. A complete closure map and details are available on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website. The High Lava Fire was sparked by lightning on July 23rd and is currently estimated at 48 acres. Firefighters continue a full suppression effort, improving roads and reinforcing containment lines. With warm, dry weather expected this week, officials say the fire could continue to grow.
Grasshopper Fire At 17% Containment; Some Evac Levels Drop
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office says some evacuation levels for the Grasshopper Fire have been lowered as crews strengthened control lines and expanded mop up operations along the fire’s southern perimeter, which led to the establishment of a 17% containment figure on the 31,571-acre fire. The Sheriff’s Office says evacuation levels for Wamic, Pine Hollow, and Sportsman’s Park have been reduced from Level 3 “Go Now” to Level 2 “Get Set.” Fire officials say a successful firing operation reduced the potential for spread toward Friend. With east winds forecast for the early part of this week, firefighters continue preparing and strengthening Forest Service Roads 2720 and 2730, and crews have been positioned along northwest contingency lines. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office is adjusting structural protection resources as two task forces return home today, while three remain assigned to prepare structures and patrol communities.
HR County Prepares For East Winds Impacting Grasshopper Fire
The next couple of days will bring a test of the west side of the Grasshopper Fire due to strong east winds, high temperatures, and low humidity in the forecast. Right now, Hood River County does have Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation advisories in place near the fire, but those are in locations that are heavily forested in the event people were recreating there. Sheriff Matt English says they are preparing to increase evacuation levels in the southern part of the County if necessary. Currently Elk Mountain to the west and the Mill Creek Buttes area to the north have Level 2 “Get Set” notifications in place, with Cooper Spur south of Culbertson Road and Gibson Prairie at Level 1 “Be Ready.”
Tuesday Is Primary Election Day In Washington
Tomorrow is the deadline for ballots to be returned for the Washington primary election. Heading into the weekend, returns had been sluggish. Skamania County had seen 19.8% of ballots returned as of the end of last week, and Klickitat County was at 17.1%, but both are above the statewide return rate of 15.3%. There are thirteen ballot drop boxes in Klickitat County, and seven in Skamania County. Lists of locations are available on both county websites. Along with Congressional and legislative primaries, Klickitat County has three-way races for County Commission and Sheriff. In all cases, the top two vote getters advance to the November election.
Hiker Rescued After Medical Emergency On Dog Mountain
A hiker who suffered a medical emergency near the summit of Dog Mountain on Saturday is recovering after a coordinated rescue effort in Skamania County. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call from a hiker requesting emergency assistance. Search and Rescue teams, Skamania County EMS, and the Silver Star Search and Rescue Team hiked to the patient with specialized medical equipment. After reaching the hiker near the summit, responders provided treatment and determined the patient was able to safely hike back down the trail with assistance. Once at the trailhead, EMS conducted a follow-up medical evaluation. No additional information about the patient’s condition has been released. Hikers should plan ahead before entering remote areas, carry adequate water, food, weather-appropriate clothing, navigation and communication devices, and carefully assess their physical abilities before beginning a hike.
Solar Storms Finish Third In Texas
A team of eleven Hood River Valley High School students returned from Texas recently after a third place finish in their division during the Solar Car Challenge. It’s a five-day race for high schoolers from around the world to test the solar-powered vehicles they designed and built. HRVHS Solar Storms team capital Isabel Ulland says they are looking forward to trying to win next years will lessons learned this year, most notably to make the car as light as possible. The biggest challenge the team faced during the race was a battery failure that cost them a full day’s worth of mileage. But on the final day, the Solar Storms were able drive all of the 115 miles of that stage for the first time during the race.