Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area have lifted all Public Use Restrictions on campfires, smoking and other activities. Officials are still urging visitors to use caution. Vegetation remains dry and can ignite from even a small spark. Smokers should dispose of cigarette debris in an ashtray. Drivers should avoid tall grass and areas with dry vegetation, where hot exhaust systems or catalytic converters can start fires. Make sure towing chains aren’t dragging on the ground, and maintain proper tire pressure to help prevent sparks from exposed rims. And if you build a campfire, make sure it’s completely out and cold to the touch before leaving. Officials also warn that fire restrictions may remain in effect on neighboring state and private lands in Oregon and Washington. Visitors are responsible for knowing the restrictions wherever they’re traveling.
Early Indication That CGCC Enrollment Is Up
Full numbers are not in yet, but enrollment at Columbia Gorge Community College appears to be up significantly. Fall term started this week. CGCC Marketing and Communications Director Tom Penberthy says early indications are enrollment may be up across the board. Adult basic education enrollment is seeing an increase, as many people seek training for different fields. Penberthy also indicated they are seeing a rebound in dual credit program enrollees from area high schools.
Underwood Cutoff Closed Saturday For Roadwork
Washington State Route 141 Spur, also known as the Underwood Cutoff, will close west of White Salmon this Saturday for roadwork. Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews will close both directions of the highway at milepost 5-point-6, near the White Salmon River. The closure is scheduled from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, while crews replace a damaged culvert beneath the roadway. WSDOT says completing the work before winter will help protect the roadway and keep water flowing safely underneath the highway. Drivers affected by the closure can use State Route 141 through White Salmon as an alternate route. Motorists are asked to slow down, follow detour and directional signs, and use caution around the work zone.
Mt. Hood Forest Fire Restrictions Lifted
Fire restrictions have been lifted on the Mt. Hood National Forest, following recent cooler temperatures and precipitation. Fire managers say visitors should still use caution, as conditions can quickly turn warmer, drier and windier. Three large wildfires burned on the forest this summer and fall, including two caused by human activity. Fire Staff Officer Dirk Shupe is reminding visitors to make sure campfires are completely out and cold to the touch before leaving. Industrial Fire Precaution Levels have also been reduced to Level One. That means firewood cutting and other activities involving chainsaws and equipment can take place throughout the day. Two forest closures remain in effect for the Grasshopper and Austin fires, while crews continue suppression and repair work. For current fire conditions, restrictions and closure information, visit the Mt. Hood National Forest website.
Wasco County Approves Endowment Fund Plan
Wasco County Commissioners approved an ordinance to place its share of Google Strategic Investment Program funds into an endowment fund to grow and provide a steady source of funds for the County to use in the future. There was some testimony suggesting setting aside some of the money for other, more immediate uses. But Commission Chair Scott Hege said it was an opportunity for the County to set a direction to provide a source of revenue in the future. Hege noted the support of the County’s administrative team for the proposal. He added that how the money is spent will be up to future commissions. The vote to move forward was unanimous.
Forest Collaborative Says Five Project Areas Impacted By Grasshopper Fire
The Wasco County Forest Collaborative reports that an early assessment of the Grasshopper Fire shows it impacted at least five of the Collaborative’s project areas, resulting in the loss of old growth forests and commercial timber that had cleared environmental review, but was not harvested prior to the fire. Collaborative facilitator Andrew Spaeth gave a presentation to Wasco County Commissioners this week. He said the five projects included 21,996 acres approved for thinning and prescribed burning treatments, but they didn’t get completed for various reasons including litigation and Forest Service capacity and organizational challenges including budget cuts and management by executive order that has hampered forest management for many years. Five collaborative projects burned: Grasshopper, Rocky, 27 Road Fuel Break, South Pen, and Hootnanny. Portions of the Rocky, South Pen, and Grasshopper Projects received some type of non-commercial treatment prior to the Grasshopper Fire. There was an active thinning operation in the Rocky Restoration Project at the time the Grasshopper Fire started.
Klickitat PUD To Stop Signing Non-Disclosure Agreements
The Klickitat Public Utility District is making a major shift in how it handles large power requests. Klickitat PUD Commissioners have ordered staff to stop signing new non-disclosure agreements with data centers, AI facilities, and other large projects requiring over 10 megawatts of energy. Utility officials emphasize that existing NDAs were narrow in scope, served no financial gain, and fully complied with state public disclosure laws. However, board members say halting future secrecy clauses is essential to maintaining transparency and community trust as massive power demands grow. Current agreements will remain active until they expire, but none will be renewed.
City Of The Dalles Cracking Down On Signs In Public Right-of-Way
Starting Monday, the City of The Dalles is cracking down on illegal political campaign signs. City officials say non-permitted signs posted along public rights-of-way and city property create safety hazards for drivers and pedestrians. Under city code, crews will begin removing and confiscating these signs immediately—without prior notice. If your sign is impounded, unmarked signs will be held for 15 days before being destroyed. If the sign includes contact information, the city will notify the owner or campaign and hold it for 30 days, giving candidates time to reclaim it or request a hearing. Full details on the sign ordinance are available on the city’s website.
Bridge Work Finishes Ahead Of Schedule
The mechanical and electrical maintenance work on the Hood River–White Salmon Interstate Bridge has been completed ahead of schedule. That means the daytime traffic impacts planned for Wednesday, along with an overnight closure scheduled for early Thursday morning, are no longer needed. The next phase begins next week, with steel and coating maintenance repairs on the bridge. Full overnight closures are scheduled Monday through Friday, from midnight to 5:30 a.m. September 29th through October 12th. The bridge will be completely closed to vehicle traffic during those hours, so travelers should plan ahead and use an alternate route. Additional work requiring single-lane closures is expected after the overnight closures. Dates and times are still being finalized and will be announced when they’re available.
Empty Bowls Fundraiser Set For Friday
Columbia Gorge Food Bank will hold its annual Empty Bowls fundraiser on Friday at its warehouse facility in The Dalles. The event includes a soup dinner, live music, a silent auction, and presentations on the work being done at the facility that supplies food to pantries in Wasco, Hood River, and Sherman counties. The Food Bank’s Leah Hall says demand for food assistance remains high, and the cost of living in the Gorge exacerbates the problem. Tickets for Friday’s fundraiser are $60, and available at EB2026.auctria.events, or at Klindt’s Booksellers.