New wildfire prevention restrictions are now in effect in the Hood River County Forest, as fire danger remains high. The restrictions took effect at 12:01 Tuesday morning and include overnight closures. Camping and parking in the county forest are prohibited between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., except at Kingsley Campground, Tucker Park and Toll Bridge Park. All gates providing access to the county forest are also closed, including Post Canyon, Riordan Hill, Upper Binns Hill and Gilhouley. Motorized vehicles with combustion engines are prohibited on trails and gated county forest roads. All campfires are prohibited. Portable stoves and fire pits using liquefied or bottled fuel are still allowed in clear areas free of flammable vegetation. Users must have either a shovel and one gallon of water, or a two-and-a-half-pound fire extinguisher. A map showing gate closures is available at webmap dot hoodrivercounty dot gov slash trail. The county will announce when the restrictions are lifted. For questions, contact the Hood River County Forestry Department at 541-387-6888.
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Garfield County Advises Klickitat County On Child Care
Klickitat County Commissioners continued their examination of how to fill child care needs in the County by talking with representatives from Garfield County about how they have gone about developing a facility set to open next year. Garfield County Public Health Administrator Martha Lanman told the Commission that hiring a child care navigator was a key first step in their efforts, sending a signal to the community and potential funding sources they were serious about establishing a new facility. That navigator, Alesia Richert, added there are numerous sources of funds available to help for a child care facility, but putting the plan together is necessary to tap those resources. She added it’s important to plan for keeping good employees, and to listen to the community to find out what it needs. Commission Chair Ron Ihrig pointed out the discussion came at a key time, as Klickitat County prepares to develop its 2027 budget.
Dallesport Sewer Rates Go Up
Klickitat County Commissioners approved a 10% increase of wastewater rates in Dallesport. That will move the base rate from $68.07 to $74.88. There will also be a small increase in the hook-up fee to $6,000. Commissioner Ron Ihrig said after holding a question-and-answer session with Dallesport residents last week, he said there are a few things the County needs to do, including visiting with Dallesport residents every six months to provide information about the system. County Public Works Director Jeff Hunter noted they will be applying for a loan or grant from the state for system upgrades “very shortly.”
Klickitat County County Commission Extends BESS Moratorium
Klickitat County Commissioners approved an extension of the moratorium on Battery Energy Storage Systems in some areas of the County’s Energy Overlay Zone to March 4 of next year. County Planning Director Scott Edelman says that’s to allow for more time to receive a report from legal consultants on a draft of an ordinance to deal with applications for those systems, adding those comments should expedite the process. Edelman says that includes comments incorporating the Energy Overlay Zone ordinance. He expects to receive the comments for the Planning Commission in September to set up a workshop in October and then a public hearing in November. The goal would be for the ordinance to come to the County Commission in January.
Grasshopper Fire Grows Slightly
The Grasshopper Fire has grown slightly and now covers nearly 93,800 acres. Containment remains at 76 percent. Fire officials say crews were prepared for another challenging day on the fireline, with rising temperatures, lower humidity and gusty winds in the forecast. Similar conditions Monday increased fire activity in two areas — the Boulder Creek area in the southwest corner of the fire, and the northwest corner east of Highway 35. Tethered logging operations are continuing to remove heavy fuels in steep terrain, while other logging crews are clearing wood and slash piles near Highway 35. On the eastern and southern portions of the fire, where containment lines have held, crews are planning rehabilitation work to reduce the risk of erosion and other environmental damage. Fire managers are watching for critically dry fuels to become more volatile today. Officials say tree torching is possible, and people may see more smoke than in recent days. Communities east of the Grasshopper Fire could also see worsening air quality today, with some areas reaching unhealthy levels.
Highway 197 Accident Leads To One Death, One Serious Injury
A fatal crash on Highway 197 at milepost 8 in Wasco County on Saturday afternoon claimed the life of a 21-year-old Dufur man and seriously injured a woman from The Dalles. Oregon State Police investigators say a car driven by 21-year-old Cameron Michael Bostick of Dufur was traveling southbound when, for reasons still under investigation, the car crossed into the northbound lane. The car collided head-on with a pickup driven by 35-year-old Breann Alyse Young of The Dalles. The OSP says Bostick was pronounced dead at the scene. Young was airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries. A four-year-old girl who was riding in the pickup was taken to a local hospital with minor injuries. Oregon State Police were assisted by the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Dufur Volunteer Fire and EMS, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Oregon Department of Transportation. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Crews Do Firing Operations On High Lava Fire
Crews on the High Lava Fire on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest took advantage of favorable weather Monday to begin two firing operations, and are expected to continue Tuesday. In the northeastern portion of the fire, firefighters started burning along the primary containment line, moving the fire’s active edge toward more advantageous control lines, including roads. Officials say that work will reinforce containment lines and build depth in areas where crews cannot safely operate on the ground. Fire officials say moderate fire behavior continues on the southwest side of the fire, with moderate activity elsewhere. The fire is 1,915 acres in size and is 25 percent contained. The fire area will remain warm and dry today, with cooler conditions expected through the rest of the week. Winds could gust to around 20 miles per hour Tuesday before weakening and shifting west Wednesday. Officials say humidity and overnight recovery will also improve as cooler, moister air moves into the area.
Overnight Bridge Closures Continue Thursday & Friday
The Hood River–White Salmon Bridge will continue to have several overnight closures over the next three weeks as crews conduct geotechnical work for the bridge replacement project. The bridge will be closed from 12:30 a.m. to 5 a.m. Thursday and Friday of this week. They are also scheduled for the early morning hours of September 1st through the 4th; and September 9th through the 11th. The closures will allow crews to conduct geotechnical exploration near the Washington shoreline. Some of the scheduled closures may not be needed if the work is completed ahead of schedule. Travelers should plan ahead and use an alternate route during the overnight closure periods.
Brewery Grade Tree Cutting Planned For Thursday
Work to cut and remove trees near Brewery Grade in The Dalles will take place on Thursday. The Dalles Public Works Department says intermittent road closures will begin at 8:00 a.m. Thursday and continue throughout the day. Flaggers will stop vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians while trees are felled into the roadway. When the tree debris is cleaned up, flaggers will direct vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians safely through the work zone. Each closure could be in place for up to 30 minutes. Work hours on the day scheduled will be from 8:00 a.m. until work is complete. The traveling public is advised to use alternate routes when possible.
Union Street Closure Extended
A road closure on Union Street in downtown The Dalles will be extended through Friday, September 4, as construction continues on the First Street Streetscape Project. Ajax Northwest says unforeseen water utility work has added to the project timeline. Union Street will remain closed between West First Street and East Second Street on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., through September 4. The road will reopen outside construction hours when it’s safe to do so. Drivers, pedestrians, businesses and visitors are asked to follow posted detours and allow extra travel time. Downtown access remains available through Second Street, while port access is available via Webber Street.