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.
Grass Fire Tuesday In The Dalles
Crews responded on Tuesday afternoon to a grass fire in The Dalles across from Thompson Park. Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue says its crews were joined by those from the Oregon Department of Forestry, the U.S. Forest Service, and Dallesport. They were able to stop forward progress at around one-and-a-half acres. The fire is currently under investigation. Dry conditions aligned with Gorge winds and warmer temperatures are generating an uptick in fires. Fire agencies ask people to follow burn regulations, be fire safe and report fires early.
MCEDD Updating Regional Economic Development Strategy
Mid-Columbia Economic Development District is inviting the public to participate in an update of the Regional Economic Development Strategy for the region. The strategy will outline a five-year plan for the area that includes Hood River, Wasco, Sherman Gilliam, Klickitat, and Skamania counties. Monthly meetings will be held starting in July bringing together participants from around the area to identify economic development strategies based on current trends, with a goal of pinpointing areas best suited for growth to sustain the region’s economy, reduce unemployment, and create family-wage jobs. The first meeting will be on July 23 at 9 a.m. at the Hegewald Center in Stevenson, and will focus on the area’s latest economic and demographic data. Everyone is invited to participate. To register, visit mcedd.org.
Skamania County Search Missions Down In April & May
The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says it continued to experience a decline in search and rescue missions for 2026 during April and May. Missions were down 66.7% from 2025 in April and down 60% in May. The nature of missions in April both involved vehicles stuck in the snow, requiring rescue of the occupants due to location and other reported factors. May missions involved two ankle injuries: one on Falls Creek Falls trail and one on Dog Mountain. The month of May was closed out with simultaneous missions on Mount Saint Helens involving a subject with an injured ankle and another subject stuck on a rock cliff after going off trail.
WKRFA Recruits Graduate From Academy
West Klickitat Regional Fire Authority says seven recruits graduated from its 2026 fire academy. Chief Wesley Long says the group completed a rigorous training program, with an estimated 150 hours of classroom instruction and weekly full-day hands-on training exercises. The academy helped recruits develop proficiency in the fundamentals of structural firefighting, including fire behavior, victim search and rescue, forcible entry, ladder deployment, and other essential firefighting skills. Recruits also completed training in hazardous materials awareness and operations. In addition, two WKRFA members successfully completed the International Fire Service Accreditation Congress certification process. Long says that is important because certified and qualified firefighters can help influence insurance ratings for property owners.
The Dalles Tree Grant Applications Begin
The Dalles Beautification and Tree Committee is now taking applications for the fourth year of its Residential Tree Grant program. The tree grant program provides support to residents within The Dalles city limits to enhance their properties with carefully selected trees that beautify neighborhoods while providing environmental and economic benefits. Assistance is limited to two trees per property owners, subject to availability. Priority will be given to applications proposing tree planting near schools or along walking routes to schools, affordable and senior housing developments, within public rights-of-way, and in areas of The Dalles with lower tree canopy coverage. Applications will accepted through August 1, and will be reviewed by the City’s Beautification and Tree Committee. The application form is available at thedalles.org.
Next Door Family Programs Available To All
The Next Door’s Family Services programs are available to families in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Gilliam, and Wheeler counties. Program Manager Karin Tauscher says many people don’t realize there are no income restrictions on any of the services they offer to new parents. The program offers “Welcome Baby” packets to all new parents in the five-county area, listing available resources. There is also Healthy Families Oregon that teaches positive parenting skills, and Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, providing books to children from birth to age 5. The Next Door’s office in The Dalles also has a Community Closet open for families to give or take gently used baby clothing, toys, and equipment. More information is available at nextdoorinc.org.
Farmers Anticipates Different Impacts From Drought
Hood River County’s Farmers Irrigation District, like most water providers, is anticipating low water supplies this season due to a historically low snowpack. Farmers’ Watershed Project Manager Megan Saunders says they have varied water sources feeding different parts of their system, which means some of the district will be impacted differently than others, with the upper and middle portions of the district facing tighter supplies. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Water Supply Outlook Report projects summertime streamflows to be 65% of normal. Hood River Basin snowpack was 14% of median as of May 1st. Farmers is asking customers to implement water conservation and active water management practices. Water supply reductions or watering restrictions are possible later in the season, especially for patrons in the Upper and Middle Sections of the district.