Containment levels for four fires in Gilliam and Wheeler counties have gone up.  The largest of the four, the Jennie’s Peak Fire, is 40% contained and 38,000 acres in size.  Officials say the fire perimeter has been secured along the east flank and along the south and up the western flanks of the fire along the John Day River.  Successful burnout operations took place Tuesday on the northeast corner of the fire as firefighters are steering the fire toward the northwest toward the Porcupine Fire burn scar.  The Stubblefield Fire is 50% contained and is 23,150 acres in size, with operations focusing on establishing a line toward the John Day River to check the spread of uncontained fire embedded in the Potlatch Creek drainage.  The Seale Fire is 40% contained and 23,600 acres in size after making a run to the south, and the 5,056 acre Lonerock Fire is 60% contained.  All evacuation levels and closures related to these fires are unchanged.

It’s a busy week for fairs in the region, with three taking place this week.  The Sherman County Fair is beginning today in Moro, with the Dale Coles Classic Car Show this afternoon along with the Fair Board’s kickoff barbecue starting at 5 p.m.  The Wasco County Fair starts Thursday in Tygh Valley, and it will once again be a free day sponsored by The Dalles Disposal, including the Senior Picnic in the Park at 11:30 and Kids’ Day events at 2 p.m.   And the Klickitat County Fair starts Thursday in Goldendale, with the County Products Kick-Off Barbecue beginning at 5 p.m.

The Hood River County Commission directed its staff to prepare an ordinance to adjust the definition of residency as it relates to short-term rentals.  Following the continuation of a hearing on Monday night, Commissioners told staff to develop an ordinance requiring four forms of proof of residency that would be similar to but not exactly like what the City of Hood River uses, and would also remove the cap of 100 STR permits in the County under the expectation the tightened residency requirements would act as a limit on STR development.  Grandfathering existing STR’s and not allowing them on resource lands was also discussed.  County Administrator Jeff Hecksel says an ordinance should be ready for consideration in the fall.  In other business, the Commission approved a two-year contract with the County’s general employees’ union.

Steep, rugged terrain has slowed mop-up work on the Westcliff Fire northwest of Hood River between Interstate 84 and the Columbia River.  On Monday firefighters held the fire within the containment lines, and were able to improve control to 75%.  Because of the cliffy nature of the terrain firefighters are being extra cautious in their actions on the fire.  Potential rolling debris is a concern as crews grid through the fire interior.  Timber fallers were able to fall several trees within the fire perimeter which still had live fire burning within the canopy.  A Type 1 helicopter was then used to drop water on the flames to reduce the heat and allow firefighters to fully extinguish the heat.  Resources still assigned to the fire include four wildland engines and a 20-person crew, with two helicopters available as needed.  Union Pacific train traffic is moving through the area slowly, coordinating with firefighters as it enters the area.  Evacuation orders were reduced Monday, with some Level 1 areas remaining.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Lisa Farquharson says with wildfires in the region, tourist numbers were probably down a little bit last month.  Farquharson says during the recent peak of fires in Wasco County during late July and early August, the numbers of visitors going through The Dalles Visitors Center was down, but added they have been back up in the last week or so.  She adds they have been trying to get the message out that the region is open for business, adding it can be a challenge to get accurate information to the potential tourist.  Farquharson says they use all available social media channels to do that.  Farquharson noted she’ll be watching September, as that is when many international visitors and those with no children will come to the region.  

Columbia Gorge CASA, court-appointed special advocates for children, will hold its latest series of volunteer training sessions in September.  CASA provides trained and supported volunteers to advocate for children in foster care.  CASA Executive Director Susan Erickson says there are more than 140 kids in foster care in Wasco, Sherman, and Hood River counties, and they need more volunteers to help.  CASA volunteers receive a combination of hands-on and online training over a five-week period.  Erickson says the time commitment for volunteers is five to ten hours per week.  For more information call Columbia Gorge CASA at 541-386-3468 or go online to gorgecasa.org.

Lines on the Westcliff Fire northwest of Hood River near Westcliff Drive between Interstate 84 and the Columbia River held overnight.  The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office this morning lowered evacuation levels associated with the fire, with Westcliff Lodge and Charburger reduced to Level 1 (Be Ready) and open for business, while the rest of Westcliff Drive between Interstate 84 exit 62 and Ruthton Park is no longer under an evacuation advisory.  Christie Shaw of the Oregon Department of Forestry says the fire is primarily in a mop-up mode, and if works goes well that should be complete by the end of today’s shift.  The fire is estimated to be just over six acres in size, which Shaw emphasized is the result of more accurate mapping, not growth.

The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce has hired someone to fill its newly created Director of Tourism position.  Chamber CEO Lisa Farquharson says Dave Nevins has a background in tourism promotion and non-profits.  She adds Nevins is an avid cyclist and runner, and has ran those types of events.  Farquharson says one of the first orders of business will be to get Nevins up to speed on regional tourism promotion efforts currently underway.

The Port of Hood River has completed installation and started to operate security cameras on the Interstate Bridge.  Port Executive Director Michael McElwee says the cameras look across the bridge from the liftspan and toll plaza, and there are also cameras under the bridge.  McElwee noted those cameras would have been helpful when an alleged allision a couple of years ago resulted in damage to one of the bridge piers.  The bridge cameras will also help with traffic control and vandalism prevention.

Good progress was made overnight on fires in South Gilliam County.  Cool weather with some precipitation allowed firefighters to get ahead of the fires in many areas.  Wildland firefighters will continue to hold and improve existing containment lines on the fires today, and work to stop the forward progress of the fire on the active sides.  Air support continues to be available to maximize efforts of crews on the ground.  Firefighters will continue to be challenged by light flashy fuels, steep slopes along the John Day River Canyon and afternoon winds.  The Stubblefield and Seale fires now total 30,500 acres with 20% containment.  There are 119 firefighters on the incident.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team will be integrated in a unified command with the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Blue Team by Tuesday morning.