A recount of the vote for Wasco County District Attorney found absolutely no change from the initial ballot count in the May 21 election. County Clerk Lisa Gambee said 70 boxes totaling 6,795 ballots were hand counted over the last two days. When they were done, Kara Davis still had 3,166 votes and Travis Marston 3,106. Gambee said observers for both candidates were present for the process. Marston had requested the recount, and his campaign will be paying for the cost of it. The May 21 result did not have the one-half of one percent margin necessary for an automatic recount. Davis will take the position in January from current D.A. Matthew Ellis, who was unopposed in May for the same job in Hood River County.
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Microwave Tower Fire At 591 Acres; Evac Levels Stay In Place
The size of the Microwave Tower Fire west and south of Mosier is now at 591 acres.
Oregon Department of Forestry Public Information Officer Andy Dwyer said during the night firefighters were able to make good progress on the southern end of the fire, but the most challenging area is west of Mosier as the fire backs down toward Interstate 84 in difficult terrain and steep slopes.
Dwyer adds air resources have played a critical role in helping slow the fire’s spread.
The Type 1 Great Basin National Team currently managing the Whiskey Creek Fire southeast of Cascade Locks will assume command of this fire from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District on Wednesday morning.
An incident command post will be setup at Hood River Valley High School.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office has sent two strike teams and three task forces to provide structural protection.
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office says evacuation orders will remain in place into Wednesday morning. Level 3 “Go Now” is in effect from Hwy 30 south to Proctor Rd., east to Huskey Rd and the border of the City of Mosier and west to the Hood River County line. Level 2 “Get Set” to evacuate advisories have been issued for the city of Mosier and from Huskey Rd. east to Mosier Creek Rd., and south to Wilson Road. A Level 1 “Be Ready” advisory is in place from Mosier Creek Rd., east to Dry Creek Rd., north to the City of Mosier border and south to Osborn Cutoff Rd. The gymnasium at the Hood River Middle School is a designated Red Cross Shelter for those evacuating the fire in Mosier.
The Hatfield Scenic Trails have been closed due to the fire.
ODF is investigating the cause of the fire.
Mitchell Appointed To Vacant Hood River Council Seat
Current Hood River City Planning Commissioner Ben Mitchell was selected after three rounds of voting to fill the vacant seat on the City Council. Mitchell was selected in a third vote after he and Amanda Goeke were tied in the first two rounds from among five candidates to fill the remaining two-and-a-half years of the late Tim Counihan’s term, and was chosen by a 4-2 vote after a final question about the strengths each would bring to the panel. Mitchell said one of his motivations to serve on Council is to help make Hood River a more affordable place to live. Mitchell will be sworn in at the Council’s August meeting. Mitchell’s position on the Planning Commission will now need to be filled by the Council.
The Dalles Council Affirms CUP For Development At Old Griffith Building
The Dalles City Council unanimously affirmed a municipal planning commission decision to approve a conditional use permit to allow a proposed mixed-use multi-family development at the site of the former Griffith Motors building on 523 East 3rd Street to be 60 feet high. That planning commission decision was appealed by a nearby property owner who said City codes require an application for a building in the Central Business Commercial District above 55 feet to go through a variance process. But City land use attorney Chris Crean said the code the appellant referred to was only if an applicant sought administrative approval, but going through the CUP process allows up to 75 feet. This project could come before the Council again for a different issue. Community Development Director Joshua Chandler told the Council an appeal was filed on Monday regarding the parking requirements for the facility that would have 110 apartment units above first floor commercial uses.
SE Washington Type 3 Team Takes Command Of Big Horn Fire
A Southeast Incident Management Type 3 Team has taken command of the Big Horn Fire near Bickleton in eastern Klickitat County. The fire that started Monday afternoon just after 1 p.m. is now estimated to have burned 13,800 acres. It is burning in grass, brush, sage, and juniper and is threatening infrastructure, residential and agricultural lands, and a natural gas plant. The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office says a Level 3 evacuation notice is in place from East Road to Sand Ridge Rd to the East and Alder Creek south to the Columbia River, and today an additional Level 3 noticed was issued for north of Alder Creek, west to Crider Valley, and east to Peterson. There is a Level 2 “Get Set” advisory for Middle Rd to the west, Coleman Rd to the north, and the Klickitat County Line to the east. And a Level 1 “Be Ready” notice is in place for north of Coleman Rd to Stegeman and Van Horn, west to East Rd, and east to Klickitat County Line. The fire cause is currently under investigation.
Lone Rock Fire Still At 40% Containment
The Lone Rock Fire southeast of Condon remains at 40% containment, having burned 131,407 acres. Firefighters continue to build direct control lines on the eastern edge of the fire, while also proceeding with burnout operations to connect existing lines west of Spray in Alder Creek and along Lone Rock Road. Point protection will continue along Highway 19 while crews work to ensure any unburned areas no longer pose a threat to structures in the area. Burning operations will continue along the western fire perimeter to improve and connect control lines.
Evacuations Order For Fire Near Mosier
The Oregon Department of Forestry says firefighters from ODF’s The Dalles Unit are being aided by Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and local fire departments in battling the blaze that started west of Rattler Ridge just west of Mosier. What ODF is calling a very large airtanker has been ordered to help on the fire, which was reported at 4 p.m. this afternoon. A task force of fire engines and a dozer from the Larch Creek Fire in south Wasco County are being diverted to assist on the fire. I-84 currently remains open.
The fire is burning in grass and timber, pushed eastwards by strong westerly winds of 30 to 35 miles per hour. Earlier this afternoon it was estimated at 100 to 150 acres. Cause is not known at this time.
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 3 and Level 2 evacuation orders.
Level 3 “Go Now” is in effect from Hwy 30 south to Proctor Rd., east to Huskey Rd and the border of the City of Mosier and west to the Hood River County line.
LEVEL 2 – GET SET to evacuate for the city of Mosier and from Huskey Rd. east to Mosier Creek Rd., and south to Jasper Ln.
The gymnasium at the Hood River Middle School is a designated Red Cross Shelter for those evacuating the fire in Mosier.
Whisky Creek Fire Leads To Closures
Campgrounds, trails, and trailheads in the vicinity of a fire about five miles southeast of Cascade Locks have been closed. The Mt. Hood National Forest reports the Whisky Creek Fire started Saturday morning in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness, and in spite of a helicopter dropping water on it, excessive heat help the fire grow to 165 acres. The fire is burning in dense, west-side forest with a thick understory of dead and down wood. A local Type 3 Team has taken over management of the fire. The Mt. Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area are issuing a joint emergency closure for the fire area, including the Rainy Lake, Black Lake, and Wahtum Lake Campgrounds, and the Indian Springs, Warren Lake, Wahtum Lake, Mt. Defiance South, Wyeth, and Herman Creek Trailheads, plus a number of trails. In addition, Hood River County is closing public access to the Kingsley Day Use Area and Campground Monday at 5:00 p.m., as fire crews will be staging in the area. Kingsley Rd. above the 2800 forestry Rd., Dead Point Rd above the 2800 forestry Rd. and Green Point Rd. will also be closed. The cause of the fire is from human activity and is currently under investigation. The public is reminded that fire restrictions are in effect and campfires are prohibited across both Mt. Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area lands.
Hood River Watershed Group Working On Two Restoration Projects
The Hood River Watershed Group is doing two restoration projects this summer, which will be underway through the end of August. One project is the third phase of Neal Creek habitat restoration, this time on Hood River County forestland. The project will enhance two miles of Neal Creek by returning a section of the creek to its historic channel length and adding approximately 680 pieces of large wood to the channel, mostly with a helicopter, resulting in the reconnection of over 20 acres of floodplain. Project partners include the Watershed Group, Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, and Hood River County. A second project will enhance approximately 3/4 of a mile of instream habitat on Baldwin Creek, improve passage to approximately two miles of stream, and reconnect up to 11 acres of floodplain. A new stream simulation culvert will help create a roughened channel to eliminate a passage barrier at a diversion dam.
Transit Pass Available To Downtown The Dalles Residents & Workers
Mid-Columbia Economic Development District, which operates The Link Public Transportation, and the City of The Dalles have partnered to offer a free 12-month Gorge Transit Pass to residents living in and employees working in The Dalles’ Central Business Commercial zoning district. The Dalles Downtown Transit Pass Program offers free transit passes to eligible employees and residents, encouraging the use of public transit, helping with congestion and parking, and contributing to a more sustainable and livable community. The pass provides unlimited rides on The Link Public Transit fixed routes and the regional transit system throughout the Gorge, including the Columbia Gorge Express to Portland. Passes are valid for one year after redemption. To learn all the details on how the program works, eligibility and benefits, and how to apply, visit https://gorgetransit.com/tddowntown/.