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.

Northern Wasco County Parks and Recreation District announced the Northern Wasco Aquatic Center swimming pool will return to a regular schedule on Wednesday, after a shortage of liquid chlorine led to a partial closure.  Open swim hours will return to 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday.  The Dalles Swim Team practice schedule will be back to its regular time of 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. weekdays.  Session 2 swim lessons that are set to start Monday are on schedule.  The Splash Pad will open as soon as the district is guaranteed to receive weekly chlorine deliveries.  The district indicates it will post opening dates and times for the Splash Pad once it has that information.

White Salmon’s Fourth of July celebration will take place on Sunday.  The parade will begin at Tohomish and Center streets at 1 p.m., going downtown on Jewett Boulevard and ending at Rheingarten Park.   At the park, there will be a picnic and kids’ games along with live music by the 204th Army Marching Band and Harmony of the Gorge.  Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce executive director Tammara Tippel says after not being able to have the event in 2020, this year’s is special.  For details on the parade, go to mtadamschamber.com.  

Cooling centers remain open around the region as the heat wave continues.  Hood River County’s cooling center is at the Hood River Fire Station Community Room behind the Hood River Aquatic Center on 1785 Meyer Parkway.  In Wasco County, it will be St. Vincent DePaul on 315 West 3rd in The Dalles.  Both locations will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. today through Tuesday.  The City of White Salmon will operate a cooling shelter in its Fire Hall at 220 NE Church from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Tuesday.  In Lyle, the Lions Club at 503 State Street is open from noon to 6 p.m. today and Tuesday.  The Klickitat Community Center on 92 Main Street is available as a cooling shelter from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and Tuesday.  Washington Gorge Action Programs will have a cooling center open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both today and Tuesday at the Hegewald Center in Stevenson.  And in Goldendale, there is a cooling center at the Lutheran Church on 104 East Simcoe open from noon to 7 p.m. through Wednesday.