Due to dry and hot conditions, campfires are now prohibited across the Mt. Hood National Forest. All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, or any other open fires are prohibited under a Forest Order, including in developed campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns, and heating devices using liquefied or bottled fuel, such as propane, are still allowed as they can be instantly switched off. With no rain or cool-down in the forecast, fire personnel anticipate the potential for fires to continue to remain high through the summer. With the current dry and warm long-range forecast, wildfire starts pose a greater threat to firefighter safety, public safety, and personal property. Forest officials also issue a reminder that fireworks and other explosive devices are always prohibited on national forests.
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DeMoss Hired As HRCSD CFO
The Hood River County School District has hired Mark DeMoss as its new Chief Financial Officer. DeMoss brings experience in financial and operations leadership, including managing large-scale projects and optimizing organizational processes. DeMoss holds a Bachelor of Science in accounting from Colorado State University and a Bachelor of Science in materials science and engineering from Rice University. He is pursuing a master’s degree in professional accounting at Colorado State, with an anticipated completion date in 2025. Before joining the Hood River County School District, DeMoss served as the interim CFO at Columbia Gorge Community College, where he also held roles as controller and grant accounting coordinator.
Visit Hood River Announces Grants
Visit Hood River announced it has awarded $39,278 in matching funds to seven local organizations. The program supports small businesses by providing matching grants for applicants that contribute to the development and improvement of the Hood River community by enhancing and promoting Hood River as a tourist destination. Recipients of this year’s Community Investment Grant Program funds include $10,000 each to Art of Community to support the Hood River BIG ART Outdoor Gallery, and Hood River Area Trail Stewards for continuation of recreational trail rebuilds. Columbia Arts will receive $8,950 to help support the inaugural Columbia Gorge Book Festival. The Gorge Impact Film Festival, Wylde Wind and Water, and Friends of Cascade Locks Historical Museum will receive about $3,000 each, and Sense of Place $2,500.
Pinchot Prohibits Open Campfires
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is now prohibiting open campfires across the forest. Fires will only be allowed in metal fire pits or rings in designated recreation sites. Building and tending open fires, including charcoal briquettes, cooking fires, and warming fires are prohibited until further notice. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns and heating devices using liquified or bottled fuel, such as propane, are still allowed as they can be easily switched off. Smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a designated campground, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material is also prohibited. Even where campfires are permitted, make sure fires are totally extinguished and cool to the touch before leaving the site. Keep a shovel and bucket of water close by. Industrial Fire Precaution Level 2 is also now in effect on the Pinchot.
The Dalles Asking For Minimized Outdoor Water Use During Hot Temps
The combination of hot temperatures expected to continue for a few more days and a mechanical failure to a well has the City of The Dalles asking those on the municipal water system to minimize outdoor water use for the next week or so to avoid any water supply challenges. The City says the Lone Pine Well, one of three used to meet summer demands in The Dalles, is currently out of service due to an unexpected mechanical failure, with repairs not expected to be finished by the end of the month. Customers can help reduce outdoor water use by temporarily reducing lawn and garden watering and using a sprinkler, drip irrigation, or soaker hose for that task rather than an open hose. Also, use a commercial car wash that recycles much of its water rather than washing vehicles at home. If washing vehicles at home, use a spring-loaded nozzle rather than an open hose. Chenowith Water PUD customers are not affected they City of The Dalles advisory.
Explicit Content Disrupts Wasco County Commission Meeting
Last Wednesday’s Wasco County Commission meeting was interrupted by what County officials are terming an unauthorized intrusion. County spokesperson Stephanie Krell says explicit content was briefly displayed during the virtual meeting. She noted the situation was addressed immediately, and the meeting was closed to remove the offending participant. The meeting was subsequently resumed on two separate occasions to ensure all agenda items were addressed. Krell says Zoom Recordings will be posted, but the explicit material will be removed from the recording. Krell added the County is currently incorporating additional measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, and will continue to evaluate virtual meeting protocols to ensure productive and professional public discourse.
Explicit Content Disrupts Wasco County Commission Meeting
Wednesday’s Wasco County Commission meeting was interrupted by what County officials are terming an unauthorized intrusion. County spokesperson Stephanie Krell says explicit content was briefly displayed during the virtual meeting. She noted the situation was addressed immediately, and the meeting was closed to remove the offending participant. The meeting was subsequently resumed on two separate occasions to ensure all agenda items were addressed. Krell says Zoom Recordings will be posted, but the explicit material will be removed from the recording. Krell added the County is currently incorporating additional measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future, and will continue to evaluate virtual meeting protocols to ensure productive and professional public discourse.
Gloria Center Open As Cooling Shelter This Weekend
Mid-Columbia Community Action says the Gloria Center’s Emergency Shelter will be open as a Cooling Shelter this weekend due to the expected extreme heat. The shelter at 2505 West 7th in The Dalles will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Cooling Shelter operations are led by Community Action staff and supported by community volunteers. Supports provided include a cool location, water, snacks, hygiene, and first aid items. For details on Cooling Shelter operations visit mccac.com. Community Action is also accepting donations of supply items for the Cooling Shelter, including Gatorade, shelf-stable snack items, lip balm, and sunscreen. Supply donations may be dropped off to The Gloria Center during Cooling Center operations hours or regular business hours.
Two Weeks Of Nighttime Hood River Bridge Closures For Repairs
There will be two weeks of 12-hour nighttime closures to accommodate repairs to the Hood River-White Salmon Interstate Bridge starting the night of July 8. Kiewit Construction, which will be handling the repair of the six truss members damaged by an excavator being hauled on a flatbed trailer by a large truck last Thursday, says the bridge will be closed daily from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. starting on July 8, and continuing through July 21. Until the repairs are completed, only passenger vehicles are being allowed on the bridge. The Port of Hood River says after the repairs are done, normal vehicular traffic operations will resume. In addition, once the structural repairs are done, the bridge lift will be evaluated, and if it is not operable, a separate study will be conducted, and additional bridge closures may be necessary.
Cooling Kits Available
Mid-Columbia Houseless Collaborative partners will have free cooling kits available for houseless residents. Cooling bundles may vary slightly at the various locations depending on available supplies, but they will generally contain cooling cloths, handheld fans, reusable water bottles, water and Gatorade, sunscreen, chapstick, snacks, and information about heat emergencies and how to avoid them. In Oregon, the free kits are available at Mid-Columbia Community Action’s office at 606 State Street Suite 1B in Hood River, the Gloria Navigation Center at 2505 W 7th Street in The Dalles, and through the Office of Emergency Management in Sherman County that is available by phone at 541-565-3100. In Washington, free kits are available at all Washington Gorge Action Programs offices in Stevenson, Bingen, and Goldendale. They are also available at Second Hand Rose WAGAP’s community thrift store in Bingen, and libraries in Stevenson and Goldendale.
ODF Starts Regulated Closure In Central Oregon District
The Oregon Department of Forestry has issued a regulated closure for the lands it protects in its Central Oregon District as of Monday. That means smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, and open fires are prohibited. The use of portable appliances like camp stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed in clean areas free of flammable vegetation, and camp fires are allowed in designated areas. Chainsaws, metal cutting, griding, and welding, and mowing dried grass with power equipment is prohibited between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. The use of motor vehicles is limited to improved roads except for vehicle use by landowners and their employees for activities associated with their livelihood, and the use of fireworks and blasting is prohibited. In addition, ODF lands in Central Oregon have been placed under Industrial Fire Protection Level 2.