The Central Oregon District of the Oregon Department of Forestry is declaring fire season on all the lands it protects in Wasco and Hood River counties beginning on Monday.  The initial declaration will mainly pertain to commercial operations on forested land, but will soon be followed up with a Regulated Use Closure that will involve public use restrictions.  Forest Officer Rick Fletcher says after recent rains fuel loading has increased.  Fletcher said the long-term forecast is suggesting an average to just above average fire season.

Four members of Oregon’s Congressional delegation are asking Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen to provide details on the agency’s preparations for the 2020 wildfire season during the coronavirus pandemic.  Republican Greg Walden and Democrats Peter DeFazio, Earl Blumenauer, and Suzanne Bonamici sent a letter to Christiansen pushing for information.  They want to know about coordination with federal, state, and local health departments to aid communities impacted by smoke and wildfire, limiting exposure to and transmission of COVID-19, and planning and implementation of forest management and hazardous fuels reduction plans to reduce wildfire spread and prevent coronavirus spread.  In addition, the lawmakers asked the agency to list the status of exclusive use contracts for Type 1 helicopters and fixed wing air tanker contracts, which the representatives say are essential tools in aerial suppression efforts.

The City of The Dalles has extended its State of Emergency for another two weeks to June 12.  It was first declared on March 17.  The declaration is in alignment with State of Oregon and Wasco County emergency orders.  City officials are urging citizens to read and follow state guidance for Phase 1 re-opening.  The guidance for all sectors can be found on the State of Oregon COVID website and the City of The Dalles’ website.  The general public is asked to continue to follow strict distancing, face covering, and hygiene guidance.

Columbia Gorge Veterans Museum is looking for a new home by July 31.  The museum has been in the American Legion Post 19 building, but that facility has been sold and the museum must move out of the 875 square feet it currently occupies by the end of July.  Museum board member Lisa Commander says they would like to find something in downtown The Dalles a little larger than where they are now.  Those with ideas for a new location for the veterans’ museum can e-mail the museum board at info@vetsmuseum.org, go to the Columbia Gorge Veterans Museum Facebook page, or stop by their current location at 205 East 2nd in The Dalles from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday.

There are new, slower speed limits coming to Jewett Boulevard in White Salmon on June 10.  The 35 mile per hour speed zone from about Loop Road east into downtown White Salmon will change to 30 miles per hour.  The downtown core area, approximately from Garfield east to Fireman’s Park, will drop from 25 miles per hour to 20 miles per hour.  The 25 mile per hour speed zone from Fireman’s Park east will be extended to approximately 8^th Street.  City officials say new speed signs will be installed by June 10.

Klickitat County has been informed by the state of Washington it now qualifies to apply for Phase 2 in the state’s reopening plans.  County Commissioner David Sauter says they were informed on Tuesday that they qualify, and they had an application ready to go.  One of the keys to Klickitat County being able to apply for Phase 2 has been a lack of positive COVID-19 tests over the last ten days.  Sauter says another important element for the County to be able to apply was establishment of a location at the County Fairgrounds in Goldendale for COVID-19 patients to be able to isolate themselves if necessary.  Sauter indicated they should learn if the state approves the County to move into Phase 2 by the end of the week or early next week.

Mid-Columbia Medical Center is purchasing a Cepheid Rapid Analyzer to enable quick results for COVID-19 tests.  MCMC Chief Executive Officer Dennis Knox says as they test every elective surgery patient for the coronavirus, acquiring the analyzer will speed that procedure to allow test results to be known within 45 minutes.  Knox emphasized this is a different analyzer than the much-criticized Abbott analyzer.  He said the Cepheid analyzer provides 99 percent true results.  Knox says the equipment, along with cassette test kits, will arrive in mid-July.  The Mid-Columbia Health Foundation provided $110,000 to purchase the analyzer, along with $20,000 for the test kits.

North Central Public Health District officials continue to work with orchardists as seasonal workers continue to arrive for cherry harvest.  District Director Teri Thalhofer told Wasco County Commissioners Wednesday morning that the work being done to help prevent COVID-19 outbreaks in the orchards is being used as a model for the rest of Oregon.  Thalhofer says masks and cleaning supplies were distributed to orchardists last week, and they are looking for more supplies.  She added work is being done on migrant housing and education needs.

Mid-Columbia Community Action has received about $900,000 from various sources to provide assistance for energy payments and housing and homeless funds.  Community Action Executive Director Jim Slusher says they will be contacting 200 households that were on a waiting list for this past winter’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program to provide financial assistance, and then there are other funds for both energy and rent assistance during the COVID-19 crisis.  Mid-Columbia Community Action serves Hood River, Wasco, and Sherman counties.   For information on programs, go to mccac.com, or call their office in The Dalles at 541-298-5131.

The Hood River City Council voted 4-3 to lift its current moratorium on lodging for recreational and leisure travel during its meeting Tuesday evening.  The decision came after about an hour and 15 minutes of discussion, with nearly all Councilors acknowledging there are numerous unknowns moving forward.  Councilor Tim Counihan said he thought the City should wait until a successful completion to Phase 1 reopening before allowing lodging to move forward, while fellow Councilor Erick Haynie said it was a careful and appropriate step and that the lodging sector must stand by state guidelines.  A group of Hood River lodging industry representatives have written a letter to City and County officials asking for the restriction to be lifted, saying it will be critically important for the tourism industry to transition to inspirational messaging inviting responsible visitation in slow stages.  The lift will occur on May 29 as the City extends its emergency orders into mid-June.  Mayor Kate McBride, Haynie, Jessica Metta, and Mark Zanmiller voted yes, while Counihan, Megan Saunders, and Gladys Rivera voted no.