Containment of the Boulder Fire has been increased to 46% Monday. Size of the fire remains at 233 acres southeast of Mt. Hood on the Barlow Ranger District near Boulder Lake Trailhead. On Sunday, slightly lower temperature and higher relative humidity moved over the fire area. Fire activity was minimal even as winds picked up with the arrival of a cold front. Cary Neu of Northwest Team 10 says crews are about halfway done with mop-up work. Many of the roadways, campgrounds and trails north and east of Forest Road 48 in the Barlow Ranger District are closed. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Author: mbailey
Crews Make Good Progress On Bear Creek Fire North Of Carson
Fire crews made good progress toward containment of a fire that broke out Sunday north of Carson, with all evacuation notices having been lifted. The Bear Creek Fire was first reported around 3:30 Sunday afternoon, and is estimated at five acres in size. Washington State Department of Natural Resources remained on scene as incident command. Crews remained on scene overnight, and will through an extended attack Monday. Crews from Skamania Fire Districts 1, 3, 4, and 5, Stevenson Fire Department, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest were involved in the firefighting effort before being released Sunday night.
Free Adult Swim Lessons Hood River Parks & Rec
Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District has been chosen for a fifth straight year as one of 35 adult programs from the USA Swimming Foundation’s nationwide network of swim lesson providers to receive grant funding for 2023. This grant funding will allow the district, in cooperation with the Columbia Gorge Masters Swim Team, to offer four free swim lessons during the month of August to any interested adult 18 years of age and older. Adult swimmers of all ability levels are welcome to participate in the program – from the complete beginner to the more advanced swimmer. The teaching will be tailored to the student’s comfort and ability level with a low teacher to student ratio. Four class sessions will be offered, the first two Tuesdays and Thursdays in August from 6 p.m. to 7 pm. at the Hood River Aquatic Center. Pre-registration is required, either in person at the aquatic center, or by calling 541-386-1303.
Fishing Tourism Continues To Grow In The Dalles
Fishing, and bass fishing in particular, is starting to become a significant portion of what brings tourists to The Dalles area. The Dalles Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says a bass fishing tournament with 40 to 50 boats is coming at the end of month, and there will be two more later this summer and early fall plus others next year. Farquharson notes the tournaments tend to make the recreational fisherman want to come here. Farquharson says they have steered away from salmon fishing in their marketing efforts, noting the seasons for those fish lack stability.
Chenowith Pavement Work Scheduled
The City of The Dalles Public Works will begin full pavement reconstruction next week following installation of a sanitary sewer main on Chenowith St. between Cherry Heights Rd. and West 6th St. Construction is expected to occur over four days beginning next Monday with expected completion by Thursday July 27, 2023. Phase 1 will see a full closure of Chenowith St. between Cherry Heights and W. 8th Pl. Access to W. 8th Pl. will be by W. 6th St. only. Phase 2 will moved the full road closure on Chenowith St. to between W. 8th Pl. and W. 6th St., with access to W. 8th Pl. via Cherry Heights Rd. only. Driveway access in construction zones will be closed to vehicles and bicycles. The sidewalk will remain open to pedestrian traffic during construction. Work hours will be 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day.
Fire At Mouth Of Deschutes River Burns About 1,000 Acres
Sherman County Emergency Services says crews as of Friday morning had contained, but have not completely put out, a fire that broke out late Thursday night near the mouth of the Deschutes River between Celilo Village and Rufus in Sherman County. Deschutes State Park was evacuated, and the emergency services’ update indicated it remains closed for safety reasons. Additional fire resources were to arrive today to relieve local crews that will return as needed. Approximately 1,000 acres have burned as a result of the fire, which the Sherman County Sheriff’s Office said was caused by a camp stove that tipped over a few minutes south of the park. People are asked to stay clear of the area and allow firefighters to work. Crews from the Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management in Prineville, North Sherman, South Sherman, and Moro fire departments, and landowners all responded to the fire when it started Thursday evening.
Fire Northwest Of Goldendale Burns About 100 Acres
A fire northwest of Goldendale on Thursday burned approximately 100 acres, and led to some evacuations. The fire started right around 3:15 in the afternoon off of Knight Road and moved east through grass and brush. Aerial attack was used to help calm the fire, with both helicopters and fire bosses used. Westerly winds gusting to 18 miles per hour challenged firefighters, especially on the eastern edge of the fire. Power had to be shut off to some locations near the fire, but it was re-energized during the evening.
Spatz Named The Dalles’ Economic Development Officer
Dan Spatz has been selected as the City of The Dalles’ new Economic Development Officer. It’s a recently created position in the City’s Community Development Department to oversee economic development efforts by coordinating with area partners and assisting property and business owners and developers. Spatz will also oversee the Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency and serve as the City’s Enterprise Zone Manager. Spatz has spent the last 15 years as Chief Institutional Advancement Officer and Capital Projects and Community Outreach Director at Columbia Gorge Community College. He also has previously been economic development coordinator for Wasco County and was interim director for the Port of Klickitat. Spatz was also on The Dalles City Council from 2008 to 2017.
United Way Allocation One Of Biggest Ever
United Way of the Columbia Gorge is allocating over $300,000 to 27 different non-profit organizations this year in Hood River, Wasco, Sherman, Klickitat, and Skamania counties. Executive Director Caroline Grew says it’s one of the biggest allocations in their history. The United Way will hold a fundraising concert next Friday night, July 21, at 5:30 at the Bargeway Pub in The Dalles featuring Huckleberry Road and Jessie Leigh. Tickets are $25 in advance and available at the Bargeway Pub, The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce, and online at unitedwaycolumbiagorge.org. They are $30 at the door.
Gorge Discovery Center Looks To Replace HVAC System
The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is going to embark on a fundraising effort to replace its HVAC system. The building’s air conditioning is not working, and Center Marketing Director Mikey Goyette says they are in the process of arranging its replacement. Evaporative coolers have been placed around the building to bring the temperature down, but the Center will close at 2 p.m. on days the temperature goes above 95 degrees. Goyette says they are looking to raise $175,000 to cover the replacement cost, and there is a matching program that will be a part of it. Goyette says a link to donate will be placed on gorgediscovery.org this week.