A regional Food Security Assessment developed by Oregon State University Extension and other agencies has been wrapped up, and data from it is becoming available. OSU Extension’s Lauren Kraemer says it’s an update of an assessment originally done in 2015. Kraemer says it shows for a number of different factors, demand at food pantries has doubled from what it was back then. Kraemer says with federal and state funding cutbacks to food programs, those numbers could trend further upward. She says a full report on the assessment will be issued in the fall.
Author: mbailey
Hood River Parks & Rec Camps Start June 22
Hood River Valley Parks and Recreation District is taking registrations now for its various youth camps and activities this summer, including its popular weekly Summer Kidz Camps that start on June 22. Each week has a different theme. District Recreation Supervisor Jaime Rivera says they will be offering it for nine weeks, filled with fun activities. There are also specific sports and activity camps planned throughout the summer. The complete schedule is available at hoodriverparksandrec.org. Financial assistance is available.
Crews Put Out Fire In Klickitat County Wednesday
Fire crews in Klickitat County put out a Wednesday afternoon fire near the junctions of Highways 97 and 14. It burned approximately 100 acres, and was reported at about noon on Wednesday. Highway 14 was closed for about 40 minutes as a result of the fire. Klickitat County Rural Fire District 7 responded to the fire, which was brought under control within a couple of hours as forward progress was stopped. Crews from Wishram, Goldendale, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources also responded, along with the Washington State Police and Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office.
Wasco County Proclamation Honors Brady
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.