The Gifford Pinchot National Forest is increasing the Industrial Fire Precaution Level from Level I to Level II, increasing restrictions for work on the forest.  The fire warning level has been raised to high.  The general public is affected only through the power-saw use restriction.  Chainsaws may not be used between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  Operators are also required to keep a one hour fire watch after any cutting.  The Gifford Pinchot National Forest fire danger rating is now at high.  Take all proper precautions on the forest as fires may start and spread easily.  Campfires should be completely extinguished and cold before departing camp at any time.  Keep a bucket of water and tools for dirt scraping handy to quickly put out any embers that may escape the fire ring.  Clear all vegetation from within three feet of any fire.  For more information visit the Gifford Pinchot National Forest fire website.  

The Mt. Hood National Forest will be accepting proposals for new recreation events to add to the existing events already occurring throughout the year.  Ten permits will be available, and if there are more applicants than permits available, a lottery system will be used.  Proposals for events in 2018 will be accepted between September 1 and November 1 of this year.  All new proposals will be reviewed under a specific criteria intended to diversify recreation opportunities, reduce overlap with existing events, and increase opportunities for youth-focused events.  Detailed information and applications are available on the Mt. Hood National Forest website or by calling 503-668-1640.  Interested groups are encouraged to contact the forest before developing new proposals.

Due to retirement the Washington state vehicle licensing sub-agency in White Salmon has closed.  Klickitat County Auditor Brenda Sorensen says she recognizes the inconvenience the closure will cause the public. and the County intends to secure a replacement license sub-agent within the next few months after applicants participate in an open, competitive process.  In the interim, vehicle licensing agents are available to assist the public at the Klickitat County Auditor’s office in Goldendale weekdays from 8:30 to 4:30. and at the Skamania County Auditor’s office in Stevenson Mondays through Thursdays from 7:30 to 5:15.  If you had vehicle renewal or title work sent to the White Salmon office, please contact the Klickitat County Auditor’s Office.

Helicopters continued to drop water on the Indian Creek Fire Friday after concentrating on 3 persistent smokes on the west flank of the fire Thursday. The fire continues to smolder and creep along the forest floor, but is not moving rapidly. Firefighters continue to look for possible contingency lines, take hourly weather observations and monitor fire activity. Management objectives are to keep the fire within the current area west of Eagle Creek, north of an unnamed drainage near the perimeter of the fire, south of Opal and Eagle Creeks and east of Opal Creek. The fire remains at 83 acres. 62 personnel are fighting the blaze. The cause of the fire is unknown. The estimated containment date is still Saturday, September 30^th.  

The Indian Creek Fire grew to 83 acres over the last couple of days. Heavy helicopters dropped over 100,000 gallons of water on areas showing persistent smoke on Wednesday and continued the assault Thursday. Firefighters will continue to identify potential contingency lines, take hourly weather observations and monitor fire behavior. There was increased fire activity on Thursday, the most in about 10 days. That was stopped with bucket drops. Much of the smoke in the area is coming from fires throughout the region and British Columbia, it is not all from Indian Creek. 64 personnel are currently working the fire. There is no camping allowed in the closure area. The Northern portion of Eagle Creek Trail #440 off I-84 is open for almost 5 miles. The Pacific Crest Trail is open. Water is available for PCT hikers at Indian Springs, but not Wahtum Lake. The estimated containment date is Saturday, September 30th.

During these hot days, the Hood River Library is acting as a cooling station during their open hours. Everyone is welcome to come in and enjoy air conditioning, access to water and lots of comfortable places to sit and rest. The Library is open Tuesday through Thursday  from 10am to 7pm, and Friday and Saturday from 10am to 6pm.

The Indian Creek Fire grew very slightly Tuesday, but is still considered to be 74 acres. It was the first day helicopters had not been used, as they were in for maintenance. The fire became more active and gained a little ground on the north edge. Helicopters resumed their drops Wednesday. A 20 person Cascade Type 2 Initial Attack crew is observing the fire and conducting reconnaissance for areas where fireline can be safely and effectively constructed. 63 total personnel are manning the fire. All the trails closed in the last week are still closed. Also, Wahtum and Indian Springs Campgrounds are closed. Eagle Creek Trail is open from the trailhead near I-84 to the Wilderness Boundary. The Pacific Crest Trail, Punch Bowl Falls and High Bridge all remain open. Tunnel Falls is closed. The estimated containment date is Saturday, September 30th. The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

Containment on the Emerson Fire about five miles northeast of Madras has moved up to 60 percent.  Firefighters continued constructing and improving containment lines on the fire burning on private land and the U.S. Forest Service managed Crooked River National Grassland.  The size estimate has been revised downward to be 10,527 acres.  Six homes and seventeen other minor structures have been threatened by the fire.  A Type 3 incident management team comprised of Prineville Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service firefighters has command of the fire and will continue working with Jefferson County Rural Fire District to manage the blaze.  The fire was determined to be human caused.

Size of the Indian Creek Fire in the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness remains at 74 acres, and has not shown signs of growth for several days.  Dropping water from the Type 1 Chinook helicopter, up to 92,000 gallons a day, has raised the humidity and fuel moisture in the fire area, slowing the fire’s growth.  The 20-person Gifford Pinchot National Forest Type 2 Initial Attack crew is observing the fire and conducting reconnaissance for areas where fireline can safely and effectively be constructed.  Because of the difficult terrain and limited control options, this fire is expected to burn for a long period of time before it is controlled.  The Mt. Hood National Forest expanded the trail and area closure in place for the area surrounding the fire.  It now includes Eagle Creek Trail #440 from the boundary with the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness (to the north) to its terminus at the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail.  Also closed are the adjacent trails Eagle Benson #434, Indian Springs Trail #432, Eagle Tanner Trail #433, Chinidere Cutoff Trail #406M, and Tanner Butte Trail #401.  Forest Service Road 1310 is closed east of the junctions with the 1311 to its terminus at Wahtum Lake.  Tunnel Falls and the Wahtum and Indian Springs Campgrounds are closed.  The Pacific Crest Trail, Punch Bowl Falls and High Bridge remain open.

Wasco County officials are getting ready for crowds coming to view the full solar eclipse on August 21.  The northern edge of the path of totality is about eight miles south of Maupin.  Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill says they have received estimates as high as 40,000 people from the Maupin-Antelope-Shaniko area to the Jefferson County.  He says the Sheriff’s Office is planning to establish two mobile command posts in that area during the days surrounding the eclipse, one at the Cow Canyon Rest Area and another at the Highway 26 and Highway 216 area.  Magill says a letter was sent to residents of the area earlier this month detailing preparations they should make for the anticipated crowds coming to view the eclipse.