The Bureau of Indian Affairs has reduced the amount of damages but still agreed with the BIA’s Yakama Agency assertion that Klickitat PUD was responsible for the Mile Marker 28 fire in 2013.  Nearly two years ago the PUD had appealed the Yakama Agency determination that the PUD failed to remove trees near distribution lines, leading to the fire.  The PUD claims that’s based on a Washington Department of Natural Resources report it believes was flawed and unreliable.  Klickitat PUD says it will appeal the BIA decision in July to the Department of the Interior’s Board of Indian Appeals, saying the latest decision was made without any hearing to present evidence or provide any opportunity to present testimony and cross-examine DNR investigators or other witnesses.  The PUD believes a tribal logging contractor’s crew working adjacent to PUD power lines when the fire started caused the blaze, and also did not or delayed reporting when two trees caught fire.  The BIA reduced the damages claim from $65.5 million to $58.4 million.  A federal government claim has also been filed in federal court, and the PUD says it will “vigorously defend itself.”

A small fire broke out on an island adjacent to The Hook in Hood River late Sunday night.  Hood River Fire Chief Leonard Damian says the fire is contained to the island and crews have been letting it burn out because of the difficulty that would be involved in getting out to it.  An engine crews from the U.S. Forest Service is monitoring the fire to make sure it doesn’t send out sparks in the wind.  Hood River fire crews were notified of the fire just before 11 p.m.

The 1620 Road Fire west of Parkdale was declared 100% contained over the weekend.  Mop-up continued through the weekend, and will take place into the week.  Firefighters are gridding for areas of heat working through unburned fuels along with removing hose and equipment from the fireline.  On Saturday evening management of the fire site was transitioned back to local units.  The fire burned primarily within a young timber stand with old logging slash.  There were no structures threatened or destroyed and no injuries were reported on the fire.  Once work is finished, the fire area will continue to be monitored.

A test swim was conducted Saturday at the new Cascade Locks location for the Roy Webster Columbia River Cross Channel Swim to be held on Labor Day.  Hood River County Chamber of Commerce Events Coordinator Hannah Settje says they took a group of swimmers out with the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office to get a feel for morning river conditions.  Settje says the test went well, noting the swim will be a little longer than it was Hood River.  Settje says the swim is already full up, as is the waiting list to take part.  Those who would like to volunteer to help with the Labor Day event can call the Hood River Chamber at 541-386-2000.

Summertime is a busy time for maintenance crews in North Wasco County School District 21.  D-21 Chief Financial Officer Randy Anderson says the district’s maintenance personnel are busy “flipping” school buildings to get them ready for the 2019-20 school year, which means full deep cleanings of all of the facilities.  Chenowith Elementary is an especially busy place as it hosts 300 students in a migrant education program for the families of those working the cherry harvest.  Anderson says that will continue through the end of July.

Columbia Gorge Community College is conducting a survey on how well it’s doing.  The college is asking respondents online whether it is meeting the education and training needs of students, business and industry partners, district taxpayers, and the regional community at large.  The summer community and business survey is providing an opportunity for people to give feedback and offer suggestions.  The survey will run through August.  It’s available at the college’s website, cgcc.edu.

Republican Oregon State Senators are returning to the Capital, and a floor session is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday as legislative leaders and the Governor reached a deal to kill the cap-and-trade bill that led to the 11 GOP Senators leaving the state last week to deny a quorum.  Senate Minority Leader Herman Baertscheiger, Jr. says there are no agreements in place on how business will proceed, noting they have not agreed to rules suspensions as an “insurance policy” against someone trying to revive the cap-and-trade bill on the floor.  Baertschiger says he and his caucus did what they believe was right for rural districts they think would be economically devastated by cap-and-trade, adding the state has a small population with a fragile economy that has to be protected.  He said the Senate Republican Caucus thinks there can be a carbon reduction policy without “totally dismantling our economic machine in Oregon.”  Baertschiger said he did not believe a special session would be needed to finish remaining business on a number of budget and policy bills.  The session is to end on Sunday.

Containment of the 1620 Road Fire reached 100% after crews completed handline construction around the spotfire perimeter.  The combined fire acreage is 80 acres.  The fires are 75% controlled and today firefighters will continue to strengthen and secure firelines.  The fire was first reported Monday burning on private lands west of Parkdale, Oregon.  Significant unburned fuels and vegetation inside the fire perimeter makes the mop-up process slow and difficult as firefighters must work through all the material to ensure there is no hidden heat or flame.  Firefighters will mop-up the entire interior of the fire to reduce the possibility of re-ignition of the fire in the future.  The Type 3 organization from Central Oregon Fire Management Service will transition the fire back to the local unit Saturday evening. 

A Regulated Use Closure has been declared for Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District beginning at 12:01 am. Saturday.  That includes private, municipal, and state owned lands protected by ODF’s Central Oregon District in Hood River and Wasco counties.  The closure is intended to reduce wildfires related to high risk activities as wildland fuels dry out.  A number of activities are restricted by the closure, with a complete list of restrictions available at ODFcentraloregon.com.  In addition, open burning including burn barrels in Hood River and Wasco counties will be prohibited beginning Monday with the burn ban going into effect. 

The Columbia Gorge Pride Alliance will host its annual Pride in the Gorge event this weekend.  A parade will take place in downtown Hood River Saturday at 9 a.m.  It will be followed by a festival on the waterfront from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  A number of other events are planned…go to columbiagorgepride.com.