YouthThink of Wasco County will continue it’s the More You Know series next week with a virtual presentation on loneliness and isolation. YouthThink Executive Director Debby Jones says this has become a greater issue as the influence of mobile devices have grown. She adds they may provide communication, but not connections that provide secure attachments. Jones points out research shows young people feeling loneliness and isolation are at increased risk of being susceptible to addictions down the road. The virtual presentation will be on Thursday, August 13 at 6 p.m. To sign-up, go to youththink.net.
Flood Plain Restoration Project Underway
Work is underway as River Mile 3 of the mainstem of the Hood River to restore the river to its normal flood plain at that location. Hood River Watershed Group Executive Director Cindy Thieman says about 100 years ago berms were put in to protect a pipeline sending water to the old Powerdale Powerhouse. This project is intended to reverse that, and provide good habitat for fish. The channel will provide a refuge for juvenile fish and provide a variety of habitat for different types of fish species. Thieman says the land is owned by Columbia Land Trust, and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs, Bonneville Power Administration, and the Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board.
Hood River County Ups Evacuation Levels For Grasshopper Fire
Hood River County has updated evacuation levels for the Grasshopper Fire as firefighters prepare for increased fire activity under a Red Flag Warning. Fire officials say evacuation levels were increased because strong east winds have pushed the fire onto ridges above Highway 35 near Mount Hood Meadows and Bennett Pass. A Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation remains in effect for areas south of Forest Road 44, including Mount Hood Meadows, Hood River Meadows, Bennett Pass, Lookout Mountain, Palisade Point, Gunsight Butte, Badger Butte, Elk Mountain and Tamanawas Falls. A Level 2 “Be Set” evacuation is in place for the Mill Creek Buttes, White River area, and the Cooper Spur Ski Resort and Cooper Spur Road area west of Highway 35. A Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation covers the area from the county line west to Laurence Lake, between Culbertson Road and Highway 35. Grasshopper Fire officials said this morning acreage had grown to 34,659, while containment ticked up to 19% as crews strengthened control lines and expanded mop up operations along the fire’s southern perimeter.
Fire Contained At The Port of Dallesport
Firefighters contained a brush fire Monday at the Port of Dallesport on East Dock Road near the old log deck. According to the Dallesport-Murdock Volunteer Fire Department, the fire started when a front-end loader caught fire. Flames spread from the equipment to a large pile of old sawdust and bark chips before extending into nearby dry grass and brush. Firefighters also reported hearing several explosions, believed to have been caused by the loader’s tires and fuel barrels involved in the blaze. Dallesport crews arrived quickly and began attacking the fire, with numerous other agencies coming in to assist. Fire crews worked together to contain the blaze, and keep it from spreading. Once the fire was under control, the scene was turned over to Taylor Trucking to complete extinguishment of the burning bark chip pile.
Man Dies In Fall From Cliff Near Punchbowl Falls
A 19-year-old man from Kennewick has died after falling from a cliff near Punchbowl Falls in the Eagle Creek drainage. The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office says deputies were called just before 7:30 a.m. Saturday, after another hiker reported the man had fallen between 50 and 80 feet from a cliff above the falls. Deputies, along with members of the Crag Rats and Pacific Northwest Search and Rescue, responded to the scene and confirmed the man had died. Investigators say the victim had left the trail and was attempting to climb down the rock face to the base of the waterfall when he fell onto the rocks below. The Hood River County Medical Examiner assisted with the recovery, and the Sheriff’s Office says the death has been ruled a tragic accident. Next of kin have been notified. More than 20 volunteers took part in the recovery operation, which required a technical rope rescue and lasted several hours.
HR County Commission Discusses Revenue Options
The Hood River County Commission held a nearly two-hour brainstorming session focused on revenue options as it deals with both short-term and long-term budget challenges. It was in the aftermath of receiving a report two weeks ago from consulting firm Baker Tilly on the County’s operations and fiscal future. Commissioners asked staff to concentrate on four different possibilities, most notably a long-discussed prepared food and beverage tax concept, along with evaluating the feasibility of a permanent public safety district to remove that sector from the general fund, and layering a County transient lodging tax onto what is currently being collected. Commissioner Arthur Babitz pointed out the need to connect services that would be paid for with new revenue generation. If the County wants to put a prepared food and beverage tax on the May 2027 ballot, they would need to have it ready by February.
Truck Sparks Small Brush Fire Near The Dalles Country Club
A delivery truck fire sparked a small brush fire near The Dalles Country Club Monday afternoon. Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue says crews were dispatched just after 12:10 p.m. to Highway 30 after reports of a vehicle fire spreading into nearby grass. When firefighters arrived, they found the delivery truck fully engulfed in flames, with the fire extending into the surrounding vegetation. Multiple engines, brush units, water tenders, and command staff responded and were able to contain the fire before it spread farther. With hot, dry conditions and high fire danger continuing across the region, Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue is reminding everyone to use extra caution with anything that could ignite a wildfire.
Pinchot Forest Issues Closure For High Lava Fire
The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has issued an emergency closure for the High Lava Fire, burning northwest of Stabler and west of the Trapper Creek Wilderness. The closure is in place to protect public safety and give firefighters and heavy equipment room to work. It’s expected to remain in effect through October 31st. Closed areas include the West Crater Trail, the West Crater Trailhead, and the Soda Peaks Trailhead. The Soda Peaks Trail is still accessible from the Trapper Creek Trailhead. Both motorized and foot access are prohibited within the closure area. The closure also includes several roads near the fire. A complete closure map and details are available on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest website. The High Lava Fire was sparked by lightning on July 23rd and is currently estimated at 48 acres. Firefighters continue a full suppression effort, improving roads and reinforcing containment lines. With warm, dry weather expected this week, officials say the fire could continue to grow.
Grasshopper Fire At 17% Containment; Some Evac Levels Drop
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office says some evacuation levels for the Grasshopper Fire have been lowered as crews strengthened control lines and expanded mop up operations along the fire’s southern perimeter, which led to the establishment of a 17% containment figure on the 31,571-acre fire. The Sheriff’s Office says evacuation levels for Wamic, Pine Hollow, and Sportsman’s Park have been reduced from Level 3 “Go Now” to Level 2 “Get Set.” Fire officials say a successful firing operation reduced the potential for spread toward Friend. With east winds forecast for the early part of this week, firefighters continue preparing and strengthening Forest Service Roads 2720 and 2730, and crews have been positioned along northwest contingency lines. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office is adjusting structural protection resources as two task forces return home today, while three remain assigned to prepare structures and patrol communities.
HR County Prepares For East Winds Impacting Grasshopper Fire
The next couple of days will bring a test of the west side of the Grasshopper Fire due to strong east winds, high temperatures, and low humidity in the forecast. Right now, Hood River County does have Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation advisories in place near the fire, but those are in locations that are heavily forested in the event people were recreating there. Sheriff Matt English says they are preparing to increase evacuation levels in the southern part of the County if necessary. Currently Elk Mountain to the west and the Mill Creek Buttes area to the north have Level 2 “Get Set” notifications in place, with Cooper Spur south of Culbertson Road and Gibson Prairie at Level 1 “Be Ready.”