It doesn’t look like the smoke and hot temperatures are keeping visitors away from the Gorge.  Hood River County Chamber of Commerce Director of Development and Visitors Services Kate Schroder says the numbers they are seeing in their visitors’ center are consistent with past years.  She notes many people made reservations well in advance.  The Hood River Chamber is getting ready for the 75th annual Roy Webster Cross Channel Swim on Labor Day morning, and it is already sold out.

The first day of classes for North Wasco County School District 21 is still about a month away, but those who need to get new students registered should do so now.  D-21 Superintendent Candy Armstrong says offices at all schools are open to do that and answer questions, and the district website also has registration information.  School starts on September 5 for elementary schools and sixth and ninth graders, with the rest beginning the next day.  Armstrong notes classes at Wahtonka Community School, which operates on a year-round schedule, began last month.

There will be intermittent single lane closures of the Hood River/White Salmon Interstate Bridge throughout this week for maintenance welding of the bridge deck.  Closures will occur between 8:00 a.m. and noon.  Each closure will be approximately 15 minutes in duration.  Flaggers will be on the bridge to direct traffic and ensure safety for work crews.  Bridge users should expect delays of 15-25 minutes during these hours.  

Drivers can expect a complete closure of the Historic Columbia River Highway at the Chenoweth Creek Bridge west of The Dalles city limits for the next three weeks.  The Oregon Department of Transportation says the bridge will be closed for a three week period while crews from Wildish Standard Paving replace the failing bridge.  The bridge is expected to re-open on August 25.  This work is being done in conjunction with additional repairs to the Mosier Creek and Dry Canyon Creek bridges on the Historic Columbia River Highway between Mosier and The Dalles.  During the closure, motorized traffic will be detoured via Exit 76, Rowena.  Bicyclists and pedestrians should follow signed detour routes to The Dalles Waterfront Path.

The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is increasing the Industrial Fire Precaution Level from Level I to Level II, increasing restrictions for work on the forest.  The fire warning level has been raised to high.  The general public is affected only through the power-saw use restriction.  Chainsaws may not be used between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  Operators are also required to keep a one hour fire watch after any cutting.  The Gifford Pinchot National Forest fire danger rating is now at high.  Take all proper precautions on the forest as fires may start and spread easily.  Campfires should be completely extinguished and cold before departing camp at any time.  Keep a bucket of water and tools for dirt scraping handy to quickly put out any embers that may escape the fire ring.  Clear all vegetation from within three feet of any fire.  For more information visit the Gifford Pinchot National Forest fire website.  

The Mt. Hood National Forest will be accepting proposals for new recreation events to add to the existing events already occurring throughout the year.  Ten permits will be available, and if there are more applicants than permits available, a lottery system will be used.  Proposals for events in 2018 will be accepted between September 1 and November 1 of this year.  All new proposals will be reviewed under a specific criteria intended to diversify recreation opportunities, reduce overlap with existing events, and increase opportunities for youth-focused events.  Detailed information and applications are available on the Mt. Hood National Forest website or by calling 503-668-1640.  Interested groups are encouraged to contact the forest before developing new proposals.

Due to retirement the Washington state vehicle licensing sub-agency in White Salmon has closed.  Klickitat County Auditor Brenda Sorensen says she recognizes the inconvenience the closure will cause the public. and the County intends to secure a replacement license sub-agent within the next few months after applicants participate in an open, competitive process.  In the interim, vehicle licensing agents are available to assist the public at the Klickitat County Auditor’s office in Goldendale weekdays from 8:30 to 4:30. and at the Skamania County Auditor’s office in Stevenson Mondays through Thursdays from 7:30 to 5:15.  If you had vehicle renewal or title work sent to the White Salmon office, please contact the Klickitat County Auditor’s Office.

Helicopters continued to drop water on the Indian Creek Fire Friday after concentrating on 3 persistent smokes on the west flank of the fire Thursday. The fire continues to smolder and creep along the forest floor, but is not moving rapidly. Firefighters continue to look for possible contingency lines, take hourly weather observations and monitor fire activity. Management objectives are to keep the fire within the current area west of Eagle Creek, north of an unnamed drainage near the perimeter of the fire, south of Opal and Eagle Creeks and east of Opal Creek. The fire remains at 83 acres. 62 personnel are fighting the blaze. The cause of the fire is unknown. The estimated containment date is still Saturday, September 30^th.  

The Indian Creek Fire grew to 83 acres over the last couple of days. Heavy helicopters dropped over 100,000 gallons of water on areas showing persistent smoke on Wednesday and continued the assault Thursday. Firefighters will continue to identify potential contingency lines, take hourly weather observations and monitor fire behavior. There was increased fire activity on Thursday, the most in about 10 days. That was stopped with bucket drops. Much of the smoke in the area is coming from fires throughout the region and British Columbia, it is not all from Indian Creek. 64 personnel are currently working the fire. There is no camping allowed in the closure area. The Northern portion of Eagle Creek Trail #440 off I-84 is open for almost 5 miles. The Pacific Crest Trail is open. Water is available for PCT hikers at Indian Springs, but not Wahtum Lake. The estimated containment date is Saturday, September 30th.

During these hot days, the Hood River Library is acting as a cooling station during their open hours. Everyone is welcome to come in and enjoy air conditioning, access to water and lots of comfortable places to sit and rest. The Library is open Tuesday through Thursday  from 10am to 7pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10am to 6pm.