There will be intermittent closures of both lanes of the Hood River/White Salmon Interstate Bridge Wednesday through Friday.  The closures will take place between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.  Port crews and bridge engineers will be conducting live testing of the bridge’s lift span.  Each closure is expected to last up to 20 minutes.  For more information, call the Port of Hood River at (541) 386-1645.

Drivers who travel Washington State Route 141 in Trout Lake should plan for an around-the-clock closure of the Bonnie Creek culvert beginning Monday morning.  Washington State Department of Transportation maintenance crews are closing both directions of SR 141 between Little Mountain Road and Church Street to replace an aging and failing culvert and to repave the roadway.  During the closures, drivers will follow a signed detour on either side of the culvert, using Jennings Road and Wood Road.  The closure will be in place until the work is complete in early September.  

Work continues on the Neal Creek Fire 4 or 5 miles up Neal Creek Road. According to  Public Information Officer Christy Shaw, crews worked overnight digging a handline around the fire. They were also able to drag hose completely around the line. Four fresh crews of 20 persons were brought in this morning to replace crews that worked through the night. A couple more engines were also brought in. There are two helicopters available, but they are not being used at this time, crews on the ground are able to handle things. The fire was reported around 4pm yesterday. Two heavy tankers were used yesterday as long as they could, knocking down the head of the fire. There are a few structures in the general area, but none are threatened. New mapping shows the size of the burn at 15.5 acres as of 2:30 Friday afternoon. The fire is now 50% contained. The next few days crews will work to mop-up 100% of the fire. The cause of the fire is being investigated but authorities suspect the fire was human caused.  

A forest fire erupted yesterday afternoon about 4 to 5 miles up Neal Creek Road and 4-5 miles from Highway 35. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports that resources on the scene yesterday included 10 fire engines from ODF, BLM and the Forest Service and additional engines from local fire departments. Also on the scene is a bulldozer, 2 single engine air tankers, 1 helicopter and 3 heavy air tankers. More resources headed to the area last night and today. Crews worked through the night to try to stop the spread of the fire by digging handline around the fire. Today they will be strengthening the lines. ODF estimates the Neal Creek Fire has burned about 15 acres. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Fire crews responded to a fire yesterday afternoon west of Goldendale. The Hill Road Fire was burning slowly in alfalfa and a perimeter was quickly set up. The fire was controlled by 6 last evening. It burned 2 acres or less. The cause is unknown at this time.  

A forest fire erupted yesterday afternoon about 4 to 5 miles up Neal Creek Road and 4-5 miles from Highway 35. The Oregon Department of Forestry reports as of 4am, it had burned about 20 acres. Resources on the scene include 10 fire engines from ODF, BLM and the Forest Service and additional engines from local fire departments. Also on the scene is a bulldozer, 2 single engine air tankers, 1 helicopter and 3 heavy air tankers. Crews worked through the night to try to stop the spread of the fire as more additional resources were arriving through the night. An additional three hand crews and other overhead will staff the fire beginning at 6 this morning. The cause is still under investigation.

A forest fire has been reported in the Neal Creek Road area in Hood River County, reportedly 4 to 5 miles up Neal Creek Road and 4-5 miles from Highway 35. It is rapidly heading to the Southeast. As of 5:45, the size is reported at 5-7 acres. The Oregon Department of Forestry first asked for help at 4:15 this afternoon. The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office is asking everyone to stay out of the area. Some roadblocks have been set up, and there is also air support in the area.

A small plane crashed at the Dallesport Regional Airport Monday morning, sending the pilot to the hospital. The crash occurred around 11 Monday morning. A witness said as the plane was approaching to land, a wing appeared to dip and strike the ground. The plane hit the runway and slid into a taxi way. Debris was scattered in the runway and the taxi way. The crew of a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter parked at the airport provided emergency medical care until an ambulance crew from the Dallesport Fire Department arrived. The pilot was transported by medical helicopter with injuries. Airport crews cleaned up a small amount of fuel spilled from the plane. There was no fire. The condition of the pilot is unknown at this time.  

Pat Ashmore will be sworn as the new police chief for The Dalles on Monday morning.  Ashmore had been the Deputy Superintendent of the Oregon State Police in Salem, and is a native of The Dalles.  He spent nearly 30 years with the OSP.  Ashmore is taking over for Jay Waterbury, who is retired this summer after 42 years with The Dalles Police Department, including twenty as its Chief.  The ceremony will be at 9 a.m. Monday in The Dalles City Hall.

There has been a change in how Oregon families can receive referrals for child care services.  Columbia Gorge Community College Child Care Partners had handle that service in the Mid-Columbia, but it is moving to the 2-1-1 information line.  Nancy Patten of Child Care Partners says the new service will be exactly like what Child Care Partners had done in the past.  The 2-1-1 service will be available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., and weekends from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.