Tomorrow is the deadline for ballots to be returned for the Washington primary election. Heading into the weekend, returns had been sluggish. Skamania County had seen 19.8% of ballots returned as of the end of last week, and Klickitat County was at 17.1%, but both are above the statewide return rate of 15.3%. There are thirteen ballot drop boxes in Klickitat County, and seven in Skamania County. Lists of locations are available on both county websites. Along with Congressional and legislative primaries, Klickitat County has three-way races for County Commission and Sheriff. In all cases, the top two vote getters advance to the November election.
Hiker Rescued After Medical Emergency On Dog Mountain
A hiker who suffered a medical emergency near the summit of Dog Mountain on Saturday is recovering after a coordinated rescue effort in Skamania County. The Skamania County Sheriff’s Office says dispatchers received a 9-1-1 call from a hiker requesting emergency assistance. Search and Rescue teams, Skamania County EMS, and the Silver Star Search and Rescue Team hiked to the patient with specialized medical equipment. After reaching the hiker near the summit, responders provided treatment and determined the patient was able to safely hike back down the trail with assistance. Once at the trailhead, EMS conducted a follow-up medical evaluation. No additional information about the patient’s condition has been released. Hikers should plan ahead before entering remote areas, carry adequate water, food, weather-appropriate clothing, navigation and communication devices, and carefully assess their physical abilities before beginning a hike.
Solar Storms Finish Third In Texas
A team of eleven Hood River Valley High School students returned from Texas recently after a third place finish in their division during the Solar Car Challenge. It’s a five-day race for high schoolers from around the world to test the solar-powered vehicles they designed and built. HRVHS Solar Storms team capital Isabel Ulland says they are looking forward to trying to win next years will lessons learned this year, most notably to make the car as light as possible. The biggest challenge the team faced during the race was a battery failure that cost them a full day’s worth of mileage. But on the final day, the Solar Storms were able drive all of the 115 miles of that stage for the first time during the race.
Smoke Expected From Grasshopper Fire
Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue District says tesidents across Wasco County should expect to see heavy smoke and a large smoke plume from the Grasshopper Fire Friday afternoon as temperatures rise and humidity decreases. While the fire remains active, firefighters continue to make progress holding and strengthening lines to protect the communities of Pine Hollow, Wamic, and Tygh Valley. Size of the fire is now 23,672 acres. There are now 557 firefighters assigned to the incident, including five Oregon State Fire Marshal structural task forces. They are strategically positioned and ready to quickly respond to any spot fires that threaten homes or communities.
Steady Progress Reported On Little Buck Fire
Firefighters continue making steady progress on the Little Buck Fire, with crews spending Thursday searching for and cooling remaining hot spots, especially in the Pine Hollow drainage and beneath juniper trees. Firefighters also checked areas around homes and found very little heat along the fire’s edge. Fire size remains at 43,818 acres, and containment is still 50%. The temporary flight restriction over the Little Buck Fire has been lifted, but evacuation notices remain in effect. Crews are now removing hoses and other equipment from areas where it’s no longer needed as containment efforts continue. Command of the Hay Creek Complex will transfer Saturday morning from the Northwest Incident Management Team to a Type 3 incident management team. Fire danger remains elevated with hotter, drier weather today and strong winds expected Saturday. Fire managers say crews are ready to respond quickly to any flare-ups or new fire starts.
Overnight Hood River-White Salmon Bridge Closures Planned
Drivers who use the Hood River–White Salmon Bridge should prepare for several overnight closures beginning in mid-August. The Hood River–White Salmon Bridge Authority says the closures are needed for geotechnical exploration near the Washington shoreline as part of the Bridge Replacement Project. Crews will lower drilling equipment from the existing bridge, complete the testing, and then retrieve the equipment using a process designed to protect the bridge. The Port of Hood River says the bridge will be closed from 11:30 p.m. until 5:00 a.m. August 17th through the 19th, August 26th and 27th, August 31st through September 3rd, and September 8th through the 10th. The final closure in each window will end at 5:00 the following morning. Officials say the work could be finished sooner than expected, so not all scheduled closure nights may be needed. Motorists are encouraged to plan ahead and use an alternate route during the overnight closure periods.
Newhouse Joins In Letter Seeking H-2A Changes
Washington Congressman Dan Newhouse is urging the Trump Administration to make changes to the H-2A agricultural guest worker program, saying delays and outdated regulations are hurting farmers and ranchers across the country. Newhouse led a letter signed by six Republican Senators and ten Representatives to the Departments of Labor, State, and Homeland Security, calling for faster visa processing and regulatory reforms to help agricultural employers fill critical jobs. The lawmakers say lengthy processing times are delaying workers needed for planting and harvest, while current rules leave year-round livestock and dairy operations unable to use the program because it is limited to seasonal work. The letter also asks federal agencies to create a faster track for employers and returning workers with strong compliance records, provide clearer wage guidance, and allow greater flexibility for employers to update approved job sites. Newhouse says dependable access to a legal agricultural workforce is essential to the nation’s food supply and rural economy, and he’s calling on the administration to act quickly before future growing seasons are affected.
Little Buck Fire Efforts Continue
Mop up continues on the Little Buck Fire about six miles northeast of Shaniko, concentrating on edges with heavier fuels. The fire is estimated at 43,818 acres and is 50 percent contained. Northwest Complex Incident Management Team 10 Operations Section Chief Pete Suver says infrared shows isolated hot spots within the fire, always in juniper. He also noted gridding has secured the Big Hollow drainage. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has reduced several evacuation levels. Young Life remains at Level 2, or “Be Set.” Evacuation levels for Shaniko, Highway 97 from Shaniko to the Sherman County line, Antelope, Bennett Road, and Clarno have all been lowered from Level 2 to Level 1, or “Be Ready.” The Level 1 evacuation zone from Upper Tubs Road to Cold Camp Road has been lifted. The other fires in the Hay Creek Complex are fully contained.
Grasshopper Fire At More Than 21,000 Acres
Firefighters continue battling the Grasshopper Fire in the Mount Hood National Forest, which has now burned more than 21,100 acres and remains zero percent contained. On Wednesday, crews strengthened firelines protecting the Pine Hollow and Sportsman Park communities and completed a successful burnout operation along Forest Road 27 to help secure the fire’s edge. Firefighters also quickly contained several small spot fires that developed on the eastern side of the blaze. Today, work includes constructing indirect handline on the northwest side, securing the Badger Creek area to the east, improving firelines along Forest Road 27, strengthening containment on the southern flank, and continuing mop-up operations on the western edge. Nearly 400 personnel are assigned to the incident.
Gorge Recovery To Open Saturday
Gorge Recovery, a peer-led Recovery Community Organization looking to serve individuals and families impacted by substance use throughout the Gorge, will open its doors for the first time Saturday afternoon. Executive Director Ari Gardner says the non-profit seeks to provide a safe space for those looking to seek services and find recovery. Gardner says the social portion of the facility provides a recovery community center to allow people to connect with others and be a safe space to continue their effort. Gorge Recovery has moved into a building in the Port of The Dalles at 3729 Klindt Drive. They will be open this Saturday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., and then Tuesdays through Saturdays during those same hours.