Wildfires once again can be disruptive to tourism into the region. The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says while the current Larch Creek Fire is a good distance from The Dalles, it still impacts tourists decisions to come to the area. Farquharson says she will being doing a media blitz to the larger markets that The Dalles draws tourists from, but that will come once there is more containment achieved on the fire. Farquharson adds that normally when a fire occurs, the drop in tourism occurs while the fire is taking place, but picks right back up once it is contained and drops out of the news cycle.
Author: mbailey
Grand Jury Finds Officers Justified In Fatal Shooting
A Wasco County grand jury found two Wasco County Sheriff’s Deputies and a City of The Dalles police officer were justified in fatally shooting at a man who was driving a stolen boom truck towards them on West 6th Street early in the morning of June 18 after the truck had rammed a City patrol car during a pursuit. Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis made the announcement that the grand jury found the use of force that resulted in the death of 68-year-old Augustus Law was justified and not criminal under Oregon law. Ellis said in the early morning hours of June 18 Law was spotted by sheriff’s deputies driving the boom truck without lights and dragging a tow cable. The deputies attempted to conduct a traffic stop, but Law attempted to run them off the road and tried to hit other police and sheriff’s vehicles during the pursuit, eventually ramming a City patrol car, at which point the officers fired their weapons, leading to the truck coming to a stop. Law died a short time later at Mid-Columbia Medical Center.
Larch Creek Fire Remains Stable Overnight
Fire activity remained stable overnight on the Larch Creek Fire in Wasco County, allowing firefighters to secure the perimeter and expand mop-up activities. Fire officials reported decreased winds overnight coupled with higher relative humidity provided good conditions for crews to make progress. Estimated size of the fire went up by just about 200 acres to 18,684, with containment up slightly at 11%. Firefighters today will continue to focus on structure protection and reinforcing fire line around the entire perimeter, while air resources continue to support crews moving deeper into burned areas. Fire officials did note weather forecasts do show a potential for thunderstorms from Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning, which could bring gusty winds and additional ignitions in the region. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has modified evacuation advisory levels on the east side of the fire, with Level 3 areas dropping to Level 2, and Level 2 to Level 1. Evacuation advisories on the west side of the fire are unchanged. Detailed evacuation advisory areas are available on the Wasco County Sheriff’s Facebook page. There are 982 personnel assigned to the fire, including 27 hand crews, 71 engines, 20 water tenders, 13 dozers, and 11 helicopters. The fire was human caused, but the exact cause has not been determined.
Grass Fire Along I-84 In The Dalles
A grass fire burned about an acre along Interstate 84 in The Dalles on Sunday afternoon in the area of Fred Meyer and McDonald’s. The fire was initially reported at 5 p.m. Sunday. Crews from Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, Dufur, Dallesport, and Hood River responded to the location. The fire was blown east in strong winds, but crews were able to get the fire out and into mop up by evening.
Mt. Hood Forest Prohibits Campfires
Due to dry and hot conditions, campfires are now prohibited across the Mt. Hood National Forest. All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, or any other open fires are prohibited under a Forest Order, including in developed campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns, and heating devices using liquefied or bottled fuel, such as propane, are still allowed as they can be instantly switched off. With no rain or cool-down in the forecast, fire personnel anticipate the potential for fires to continue to remain high through the summer. With the current dry and warm long-range forecast, wildfire starts pose a greater threat to firefighter safety, public safety, and personal property. Forest officials also issue a reminder that fireworks and other explosive devices are always prohibited on national forests.
DeMoss Hired As HRCSD CFO
The Hood River County School District has hired Mark DeMoss as its new Chief Financial Officer. DeMoss brings experience in financial and operations leadership, including managing large-scale projects and optimizing organizational processes. DeMoss holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Science in materials science and engineering from Rice University. He is pursuing a master’s degree in professional accounting at Colorado State, with an anticipated completion date in 2025. Before joining the Hood River County School District, DeMoss served as the interim CFO at Columbia Gorge Community College, where he also held roles as controller and grant accounting coordinator.
Visit Hood River Announces Grants
Visit Hood River announced it has awarded $39,278 in matching funds to seven local organizations. The program supports small businesses by providing matching grants for applicants that contribute to the development and improvement of the Hood River community by enhancing and promoting Hood River as a tourist destination. Recipients of this year’s Community Investment Grant Program funds include $10,000 each to Art of Community to support the Hood River BIG ART Outdoor Gallery, and Hood River Area Trail Stewards for continuation of recreational trail rebuilds. Columbia Arts will receive $8,950 to help support the inaugural Columbia Gorge Book Festival. The Gorge Impact Film Festival, Wylde Wind and Water, and Friends of Cascade Locks Historical Museum will receive about $3,000 each, and Sense of Place $2,500.
Pinchot Prohibits Open Campfires
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is now prohibiting open campfires across the forest. Fires will only be allowed in metal fire pits or rings in designated recreation sites. Building and tending open fires, including charcoal briquettes, cooking fires, and warming fires are prohibited until further notice. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns and heating devices using liquified or bottled fuel, such as propane, are still allowed as they can be easily switched off. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material is also prohibited. Even where campfires are permitted, make sure fires are totally extinguished and cool to the touch before leaving the site. Keep a shovel and bucket of water close by. Industrial Fire Precaution Level 2 is also now in effect on the Pinchot.
The Dalles Asking For Minimized Outdoor Water Use During Hot Temps
The combination of hot temperatures expected to continue for a few more days and a mechanical failure to a well has the City of The Dalles asking those on the municipal water system to minimize outdoor water use for the next week or so to avoid any water supply challenges. The City says the Lone Pine Well, one of three used to meet summer demands in The Dalles, is currently out of service due to an unexpected mechanical failure, with repairs not expected to be finished by the end of the month. Customers can help reduce outdoor water use by temporarily reducing lawn and garden watering and using a sprinkler, drip irrigation, or soaker hose for that task rather than an open hose. Also, use a commercial car wash that recycles much of its water rather than washing vehicles at home. If washing vehicles at home, use a spring-loaded nozzle rather than an open hose. Chenowith Water PUD customers are not affected they City of The Dalles advisory.
Explicit Content Disrupts Wasco County Commission Meeting
Last Wednesday’s Wasco County Commission meeting was interrupted by what County officials are terming an unauthorized intrusion. County spokesperson Stephanie Krell says explicit content was briefly displayed during the virtual meeting. She noted the situation was addressed immediately, and the meeting was closed to remove the offending participant. The meeting was subsequently resumed on two separate occasions to ensure all agenda items were addressed. Krell says Zoom Recordings will be posted, but the explicit material will be removed from the recording. Krell added the County is currently incorporating additional measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, and will continue to evaluate virtual meeting protocols to ensure productive and professional public discourse.
Explicit Content Disrupts Wasco County Commission Meeting
Wednesday’s Wasco County Commission meeting was interrupted by what County officials are terming an unauthorized intrusion. County spokesperson Stephanie Krell says explicit content was briefly displayed during the virtual meeting. She noted the situation was addressed immediately, and the meeting was closed to remove the offending participant. The meeting was subsequently resumed on two separate occasions to ensure all agenda items were addressed. Krell says Zoom Recordings will be posted, but the explicit material will be removed from the recording. Krell added the County is currently incorporating additional measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, and will continue to evaluate virtual meeting protocols to ensure productive and professional public discourse.