Wasco County Commissioners this morning declared an emergency ban on the use of personal fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county effective immediately due to what they called “unprecedented weather and drought conditions.”  Commissioner Steve Kramer made the motion to put the ban in place, saying before the unanimous vote the Wrentham Fire convinced him of the need to take action, especially after they had already made drought and burn ban declarations.  Commission Chair Scott Hege said his hope is to raise awareness of the current fire threat level to citizens so they are compliant with ban which will run through July 14.  Wasco County joins the cities of The Dalles, Hood River, and White Salmon, who all in recent days have enacted fireworks bans.  The Hood River County School District issued a statement reminding citizens fireworks are not allowed on school grounds.

Preparation continues for the Fort Dalles Fourth celebrations on Sunday, including the fireworks display that night.  Marty Hiser of the Fort Dalles Fourth committee says the company that puts on the show, Western Fireworks, takes plenty of steps to ensure the show is done safely.  Fort Dalles Fourth activities begin with the Rocket Run starting at Bargeway Pub at 7 a.m., and sign-ups are being taken at fireworksinthedalles.com.  A community breakfast will be held at Bargeway Pub and sponsored by Cochenour Builders at 8 a.m., followed by the Hometown USA 4th of July Parade through downtown The Dalles at 10 a.m. that is sponsored by Columbia Gorge Toyota and Honda.  The fireworks show will begin at approximately 10 p.m.

The extreme heat that has been in the Columbia Gorge over the last few days has been rough for cherry orchardists in the region.  Oregon State University Extension Agent Ashley Thompson says the cherry harvest was very good early on, but the high, sustained heat is stressful on the fruit and the trees.  She says later varieties can be significantly impacted.  Thompson says the heat causes the cherries to lose firmness, and stem retention goes down.  Thompson adds good irrigation management is key to helping protect the fruit during the heat.  She also says Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center is studying other heat protection methods, including using shade cloth and using a clay based product to surround and protect the fruit.    

The Columbia Gorge Hustlers five-game winning streak came to an end on the road Tuesday evening as they were swept by the Yakima Beetles in a doubleheader in central Washington.  Yakima won the opener 4-3 and the nightcap 9-3.  The Hustlers are now 12-6 on the season heading into a tournament at Mt. Spokane High School on Thursday and Friday.

The Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center puts the size of fire burning in wheat fields near 6412 Wrentham Road just south of Mason Road in Wasco County at 10,000 acres.  Strong winds continued to push the fire…with overnight reports of some fire starts to the south and southeast of the fire.  Reported boundaries going into the night included Wrentham Market Road north to Highway 138 to Highway 114 and south on Hastings Ridge Road.  Crews from Columbia Rural Fire Protection, Dufur, Tygh Valley, Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, Wamic, Hood River, Dallesport, the Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, and Dallesport-Murdock are involved in the firefighting effort.  The Oregon State Fire Marshal on-scene authorized 2 task forces and air assets including two fire bosses and a heavy tanker to be deployed.  The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Red Team will be taking over management of the fire this morning.  Wasco County Sheriff’s Office reports a Level 3 Evacuation for the area around 6412 Wrentham Rd extending 5 miles, including Wrentham, Ridge, Atkinson, Stuber, Fulton, Long Hollow, Robert Market, Summit Ridge, and Hastings roads along with Boyd Loop.  The Sheriff’s Office says about 70 to 100 residents live in the evacuation area.  The Sheriff’s Office added that going into the night 20 residential buildings and outbuildings were threatened, one barn had been destroyed, and one dwelling was saved.  The fire was first observed around 1:45 p.m.  Plumes from the fire could be seen from The Dalles and Hood River.

The City of Hood River has declared an emergency ban on the use of personal fireworks effective immediately due to extremely hot weather and drought conditions.  A City ordinance already specifically prohibits the discharge of fireworks after July 15th until November 15th.  The emergency order means personal fireworks use will not be allowed again within the City of Hood River until November 16.  Hood River Fire Chief Leonard Damian told City Councilors on Monday night that along with the dry conditions that are conducive to fire, the return of tourists to the area starts to stretch local emergency resources thin.  Damian said it would be smart to eliminate one risk factor, particularly with a number of wildland-urban interface areas in the City.  Annually, the City of Hood River would prohibit the sale and use of fireworks beginning on July 8.

The Dalles City Council voted unanimously on Monday to ban the use of fireworks within the city limits through July 9.  City Manager Julie Krueger said the emergency declaration is based on one that was passed by Bend in response to the current heat wave.  Councilors for the most part were in agreement with the move given the current high fire danger.  The Dalles Police Chief Tom Worthy has directed his department to educate offenders regarding the ban and seek voluntary compliance.  Violations of the emergency declaration calls for a fine that would not exceed $750.  Citizens may call the Police Department non-emergency line at 541-296-2613 to report violations.  State-permitted fireworks displays, such as the Fort Dalles Fourth display, are allowed to continue.

The City of White Salmon announced it will ban the use of fireworks on the Fourth of July within its city limits.  According to a statement issued by the City on Monday, Mayor Marla Keethler declared an emergency due to the current heat wave and with no significant relief before the holiday weekend.  The statement says current conditions present a very real, immediate threat of fire, and strong wind gusts are expected later this week.  The city encourages all individuals and businesses to refrain from any and all activities that could cause sparks or flame: don’t flick cigarette butts out of windows, watch lawn mowers for sparks, check safety tow chains on trailers, and avoid parking on grassy areas, as catalytic converters under cars can get really hot and start fires.  The situational fireworks ban is only in effect on July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., as fireworks are already prohibited in White Salmon except for July 4 and December 31.  The Port of Klickitat will be allowing residents to safely discharge fireworks at Bingen Point from 8pm to 11pm this Sunday, July 4.  

The Dalles City Council discussed what to do with $1.6 million in American Rescue Plan funds.  It’s the first of two installments that will be coming from the federal government over the next two years.  Mayor Rich Mays says the Council is discussing using $400,000 to provide to the Northern Wasco Parks and Recreation District to help restore Sorosis Park.  The district plans to make a similar request of Wasco County.  The Council will consider the use of the funds again at a meeting in late July.

The entire Pacific Northwest congressional delegation has sent a letter to President Joe Biden requesting he update them on the status of negotiations for a modernized Columbia River Treaty.   The letter follows 12 months of no formal negotiations taking place with Canada.  In the letter, the delegation states the status quo is not acceptable for the region and “comes at significant economic harm.”  The delegation goes on to say power benefits to Canada must be rebalanced to reflect an equitable sharing of the Treaty’s benefits, adding studies have concluded the U.S. is overpaying Canada for the benefits it receives, and the cost is passed on to their constituents.  The letter says they need to understand the United States strategy, policy positions, and tools available, and provide input to help complete negotiations to modernize the Treaty.