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.
Author: mbailey
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.
Progress Continues On Boulder Fire
Fire officials continue to report good progress on the Boulder Fire southeast of Mt. Hood on the Barlow Ranger District near Boulder Lake Trailhead. The fire is at 234 acres in size with a containment level of 5%. Northwest Team 10 Operations Chief Josh Riepe says crews have been able to reinforce the line on the western flank of the fire. Riepe says similar actions were taken on the northern flank of the fire, with water being pumped from Boulder Lake. Crews continue to build handline on the eastern edge of the fire, and a tie-in to dozer line was being worked on at the south end. Riepe says they hope to have the fire completely lined in a couple of days. A community meeting has been scheduled for this evening at 7 p.m. in the Wamic Community Hall and on the Mt. Hood National Forest Facebook page.
Highway 14 Reopens
Washington Highway 14 has reopened through the area of the Tunnel Fire. The Washington Department of Transportation announced the reopening on Wednesday evening. The agency is asking travelers to use caution through the fire area. The highway had been closed in the Underwood area since the Tunnel Fire ignited on July 2. The Skamania County Public Works Department says Cook-Underwood Road is temporarily closed between mileposts 9 and 12.9. Only persons residing within this closure will be granted access until further notice.
Devil’s Butte Fire Reaches 75% Containment
The Devil’s Butte Fire is now at 75% containment. Size of the fire remains listed at 2,865 acres. A Type III command team and other resources were transitioning off the fire Wednesday night, and will continue to do so today, with a local Type 4 team taking over today. Three engines and one Interagency Hotshot crew will remain on the fire. Firefighters will continue to watch for hotspots and mop-up the fire area within 50-100 feet of the containment lines. Air resources remain available to assist ground crews if needed. Some residents are still without power in the fire area, but fire officials say restoration is expected today. Highway 206 is open through the fire area, but motorists are asked to drive carefully as there will continue to be fire resources on the roadways.
CCA Strategic Plan Getting Put Into Use
Columbia Center for the Arts in Hood River is in the process of putting a five-year strategic plan unveiled a month ago into practice. Board co-chair Genevieve Scholl says they have short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals. She says they are looking for new ways to use the building in downtown Hood River, including using gallery space as educational space. Scholl says they are putting out a call for volunteers at the Center to help establish regular business hours. To contact the Center, email admin@columbiaarts.org.
Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Replenishing Primary Providers
Adventist Health Columbia Gorge is reporting they’ve been able to replenish their primary care providers, and they are taking new patients. Mid-Columbia Medical Center move into the Adventist Health system became official a month ago, and Business Development Director Travis Dray says they are seeing the benefit in recruitment and retention efforts. Dray adds they have now been able to bring on providers from Knight Cancer Center in Portland three times a week to provide medical oncology services at the Celilo Cancer Center, and are working with them on a long-term plan for that facility.