The Hood River County Health Department is offering help in protecting yourself and the interior of your home from wildfire smoke. Department Public Information Officer Daron Ryan says they are highlighting air quality monitors around the region that can help people monitor what the air quality is like. She says links on the Hood River County Health Department website can take people to the information. Ryan says there will be more sensors coming to get the data more specific at the neighborhood level.
Author: mbailey
The Dalles Taking Applications For Sidewalk Program
The City of the Dalles is now taking application for its Sidewalk Rehabilitation Cost-Share Program. The purpose of the program is to help property owners rehabilitate deteriorated sidewalks that are their responsibility, with grants of 50 to 80 percent of the project cost available, depending on the type of property and the income level of the owner. The City will consider applications for the rehabilitation or replacement of existing sidewalks as well as new sidewalks as part of a commercial redevelopment project. New sidewalks required for an approved building permit on a new or undeveloped lot are not eligible. Applicants for this program must be the property owner or authorized developer. Eligible projects must be completed by June 30, 2024. Applications will be funded on a first come, first eligible basis until funds run out. Property owners can download an application from the City website at thedalles.org, or call (541) 296-5401 to ask for a paper copy.
Boulder Fire At 232 Acres; Efforts Focused On Western Flank
The Boulder Fire is estimated to have burned 232 acres southeast of Mt. Hood on the Barlow Ranger District near Boulder Lake Trailhead. Mt. Hood National Forest officials say the fire is burning in dead and down debris located in steep, rugged terrain. Northwest Incident Management Team 10 Operations Section Chief Josh Riepe says they are focusing much of their efforts on the western flank of the fire to secure control line with hand crews and heavy equipment. Riepe says the fire has progressed easterly toward Boulder Creek as hand crews work to establish line. Aviation assets are being used on the north side of the fire.
Devil’s Butte Fire Estimated At Around 3,000 Acres
Size of the Devil’s Butte Fire in Gilliam County is now estimated at around 3,000 acres. The Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office says that estimate was made after aerial flights around the fire’s perimeter, adding containment remains unknown at this time. There is a slight wind today but so far not much growth in the fire perimeter. A Type III Overhead Interagency Team has arrived and set up camp at the Gilliam County Fairgrounds. Multiple ground resources from the Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, and contractors are on the fire along with a strike team consisting of Umatilla County Fire District 1, North and South Gilliam County Fire, Boardman Fire and Heppner Fire. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office has mobilized a task force from Clackamas County to assist as well. One Type II helicopter is assisting on scene. Highway 206 was reopened this morning, but authorities advise caution while traveling through the area.
Type 4 Team Takes Command Of Tunnel 5 Fire
A Type 4 Incident Management Team assumed command of the Tunnel 5 Fire near Underwood. Many of the firefighting resources assigned to the fire that burned 529 acres, destroyed five homes, and damaged two others. Remaining fire crews and equipment will be utilized to patrol the fire area for the next several days as warmer temperatures and higher wind speeds return to the area throughout this week and pockets of interior fuels continue to be consumed. Smoke from this interior burning will be visible for some time to come. Washington Highway 14 remains closed between mile markers 56-65 due to safety hazards. Skamania County Sheriff Summer Scheyer will host a community meeting for those directly affected by the Tunnel 5 fire on Wednesday evening at 6:30 in the Underwood Community Center. It will also be streamed live on the Skamania County Sheriff’s Facebook page and via Zoom. Log-in details are available at skamaniasheriff.com.
HR Council Ratifies Fireworks Ban, May Consider Earlier Start Date
Hood River City Councilors ratified last week’s emergency declaration to establish a fireworks ban earlier than the statutory July 15 date due to hot, dry, and windy conditions, and briefly discussed considering a longer window of time to prohibit their use. City ordinances currently ban fireworks from July 15 to November 15. Councilor Megan Saunders said it’s worth a conversation about revising that time frame. Other councilors concurred, saying a discussion before next summer on the subject would be beneficial.
TD Council Approves Making Beautification Committee Permanent
The Dalles City Council approved converting the municipal beautification committee into a standing Tree and Beautification Committee. It’s operated on an ad hoc basis since 2019. City Manager Matthew Klebes says municipal staff and the current panel have been working on plans for the future, including development of a strategic plan. Klebes says no staffing changes are needed to make the beautification committee permanent.
Restrictions Issued For Pinchot Forest
Gifford Pinchot National Forest fire managers have issued restrictions on campfires, smoking, and other activities within the forest. These restrictions became effective on Monday. Restrictions include building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including a charcoal fire and pellet fire on all Gifford Pinchot general forest areas…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…and operating or using any internal or external combustion engine without a spark arresting device properly installed, maintained, and in effective working order. Possessing, discharging, or using any kind of firework or other pyrotechnic device is prohibited year-round on national forest lands. Exemptions include 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…and building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire or charcoal fire is authorized in designated developed campgrounds.
Incoming Maryhill Director Looks To Strengthen Education & Relationships
Maryhill Museum of Art’s incoming executive director will be seeking to strengthen educational programs and existing relationships with the community. Amy Behrens starts in her new position in August, taking over for the retiring Colleen Schafroth. Behrens says the educational programs are key to growing the museum, creating new generations of visitors. She adds another priority will be to strengthen the building’s infrastructure. Behrens will come to Maryhill from Southern California, where she is currently executive director at Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens.
Tunnel 5 Fire Nears Full Containment
Containment of the Tunnel 5 Fire near Underwood is now at 80 percent. Fire crews will continue to monitor containment lines around the fire perimeter, along Cook-Underwood Road and Highway 14. Northwest Team 12 and many of the firefighting resources assigned to the fire will be demobilized at the end of shift Monday. A Type 4 Incident Management Team will assume command of the fire on Tuesday. Team 12 operations trainee Cody Acord says by the time the transfer takes place, full containment should be achieved. Remaining fire crews and equipment will be utilized to patrol the fire area for the next several days as warmer temperatures and higher wind speeds return to the area throughout this week and pockets of interior fuels continue to be consumed. Smoke from this interior burning will be visible for some time to come. Washington Highway 14 remains closed between mile markers 56-65 due to safety hazards from fire weakened trees and terrain that has been compromised by fire activity. All Skamania County evacuation levels have been lifted. Cause of the 529-acre fire remains under investigation.