Hood River County has joined the list of jurisdictions in the Columbia River Gorge to ban fireworks due to the extreme hot and windy conditions the area is experiencing.  County Commissioners voted to prohibit the use of personal fireworks until July 14.  Commissioner Les Perkins pointed out a discussion he had with state forestry officials underlined the fire danger in the area, noting conditions don’t usually become this dry until August.  Commissioner Bob Benton was the only board member opposed to the ban, saying he would have preferred issuing guidance rather than a ban.  Earlier this week the City of Hood River, The Dalles, and Wasco County took similar actions.  The City of White Salmon also banned fireworks on the Fourth of July, the only day of the summer they would be legal to use.