Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue calls for service, July 13-20, 2026
Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue responded to 73 calls during the July 13-20. Medical emergencies accounted for 53 calls, or about 73% of the total. Thursday, July 16, was the busiest operational day, with 14 responses. Click here to read the call log.
Reporting period: 8 a.m. July 13 through 7:59 a.m. July 20, 2026
Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue responded to 73 calls during the seven-day reporting period. Medical emergencies accounted for 53 calls, or about 73% of the total. Thursday, July 16, was the busiest operational day, with 14 responses.
Notable Incidents
Vehicle fire on Interstate 84
Firefighters responded early Wednesday morning to a vehicle fire on Interstate 84 westbound near Milepost 74. CCCNews previously covered the incident.
Brush fire at Five Mile Road and Highway 197
Crews responded early Thursday morning to a brush fire at the intersection of Five Mile Road and Highway 197. The fire is under investigation after reports of fireworks igniting dry grass. CCCNews previously covered the incident.
Mutual-aid response to Hay Creek Complex
Firefighters provided mutual aid Thursday afternoon near Wilcox Lane and Helyer Road, where multiple wildfires continued burning in Gilliam County as part of the Hay Creek Complex. CCCNews previously covered the incident.
Multiple serious crashes
Firefighters responded to four serious motor vehicle crashes during the reporting period, including incidents on Interstate 84, Highway 197, Chenowith Loop Road and Terminal Avenue. See related CCCNews coverage where applicable.
Weekly summary
Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue responded to 73 calls during the seven-day reporting period. Medical emergencies accounted for 53 calls, or about 73% of the total. Thursday, July 16, was the busiest operational day, with 14 responses.
Call log
July 13
10:10 a.m. — Burn complaint — 700 block of Sunset Valley Drive
10:22 a.m. — Serious motor vehicle crash — Interstate 84 westbound near Milepost 71
10:37 a.m. — Medical call — 1200 block of West 10th Street
12:02 p.m. — Critical medical call — 2100 block of West Sixth Street
1:36 p.m. — Medical call — 1900 block of Montana Street
5:51 p.m. — Medical call — 800 block of West Eighth Street
July 14
6:02 a.m. — Brush fire — Interstate 84 eastbound near Milepost 82
3:09 p.m. — Public assist — 2400 block of East 18th Street
3:11 p.m. — Medical transport — 1700 block of East 19th Street
5 p.m. — Medical call — 1000 block of Lambert Street
5:04 p.m. — Medical call — 1200 block of West Sixth Street
5:24 p.m. — Medical call — 300 block of East 11th Street
6:03 p.m. — Medical call — Interstate 84 eastbound near Milepost 91
July 15
12:42 a.m. — Medical mutual-aid call — 300 block of Northeast Court Street
4:48 a.m. — Vehicle fire — Interstate 84 westbound near Milepost 74
5:02 a.m. — Medical call — 900 block of West Pomona Street
8:25 a.m. — Life Flight medical transport — 1700 block of East 19th Street
9:31 a.m. — Medical transport — 1700 block of East 19th Street
10:15 a.m. — Medical call — 1200 block of West Sixth Street
4:46 p.m. — Medical call — East 19th and Lewis streets
5:54 p.m. — Burn complaint — 1200 block of East 11th Street
8:55 p.m. — Medical call — 800 block of West Snipes Street
11:39 p.m. — Automatic fire alarm — 3100 block of North Old Dufur Road
July 16
2:32 a.m. — Brush fire — Five Mile Road and Highway 197
6:28 a.m. — Medical call — 500 block of Mount Hood Street
10:44 a.m. — Medical call — 1300 block of West Sixth Street
12:17 p.m. — Fire mutual aid — Wilcox Lane and Helyer Road
1:57 p.m. — Medical call — 3300 block of West 10th Street
4:13 p.m. — Brush fire — 1100 block of West Ninth Street
4:13 p.m. — Brush fire — West 10th Street and West Cherry Heights Road
4:39 p.m. — Medical call — 3300 block of West 10th Street
6:45 p.m. — Medical call — 500 block of Mount Hood Street
7:19 p.m. — Exterior smoke investigation — Interstate 84 westbound near Milepost 82
7:40 p.m. — Medical call — 400 block of West Second Street
9:02 p.m. — Serious medical call — 900 block of West Pomona Street
11:43 p.m. — Automatic fire alarm — 3300 block of East Columbia View Drive
July 17
6:29 a.m. — Medical call — 1200 block of West 10th Street
7:28 a.m. — Serious motor vehicle crash — Highway 197 near Milepost 1
7:53 a.m. — Medical mutual-aid call — 300 block of Wildcat Xing
9:31 a.m. — Medical call — 2800 block of West Eighth Street
10:50 a.m. — Medical call — 3300 block of East Columbia View Drive
11:38 a.m. — Public assist — 1100 block of East 11th Street
3:14 p.m. — Medical call — 2800 block of West Ninth Street
3:17 p.m. — Medical call — 900 block of Federal Street
6:32 p.m. — Medical call — 500 block of Mount Hood Street
11:37 p.m. — Medical call — 700 block of Veterans Drive
11:51 p.m. — Medical call — 700 block of Veterans Drive
July 18
12:39 a.m. — Serious medical call — 200 block of West Sixth Street
1:17 a.m. — Public assist — 900 block of Cherry Heights Road
5:24 a.m. — Exterior smoke investigation — Interstate 84 westbound near Milepost 77
10:10 a.m. — Medical call — 700 block of Veterans Drive
2:06 p.m. — Medical call — 900 block of Federal Street
3:42 p.m. — Medical transport — 1700 block of East 19th Street
4:45 p.m. — Medical call — 5400 block of Five Mile Road
5:34 p.m. — Medical call — 2300 block of Bridge Street
7:32 p.m. — Medical call — West Seventh and Myrtle streets
8:07 p.m. — Medical call — 500 block of East 13th Street
July 19
1:17 a.m. — Medical call — 2800 block of West Ninth Street
3:43 a.m. — Medical call — 700 block of Veterans Drive
5:42 a.m. — Serious motor vehicle crash — Chenowith Loop Road and West Sixth Street
7:45 a.m. — Medical call — 900 block of Federal Street
8:43 a.m. — Medical call — 1700 block of East 10th Street
10:22 a.m. — Serious motor vehicle crash — 200 block of Terminal Avenue
11:25 a.m. — Public assist — 2700 block of West Seventh Street
12:51 p.m. — Medical call — 700 block of Veterans Drive
4:23 p.m. — Medical call — 1200 block of West 10th Street
5:56 p.m. — Medical call — 1800 block of Liberty Way
6:36 p.m. — Medical call — 1200 block of West 10th Street
7:09 p.m. — Medical call — 2500 block of West Sixth Street
9:02 p.m. — Medical call — 1000 block of F Street
July 20
12:03 a.m. — Medical call — 1200 block of West 10th Street
1:41 a.m. — Medical call — 3300 block of East Columbia View Drive
1:44 a.m. — Medical call — 6800 block of Mill Creek Road
Editor's note: CCCNews generalizes residential addresses to protect the privacy of residents while keeping the community informed about emergency response activity. Locations, call types and other details are based on information available at the time of dispatch and may change as emergency personnel gather additional information during evolving emergency situations.
Source: Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue weekly run report | Prepared for CCCNews.
Weekly Takeaway
Medical responses accounted for about 73% of all calls.
Thursday, July 16, was the busiest operational day, with 14 responses.
Firefighters responded to nine fire-related incidents, including four brush fires and one vehicle fire.
OSP logs three DUII arrests in 24-hour stretch across Mid-Columbia
Oregon State Police troopers made three DUII arrests April 23 in The Dalles, Hood River and Cascade Locks, including cases involving a reported overdose, high-speed driving and reported multiple collisions with the center median on I-84.
THE DALLES, Ore., April 24, 2026 — Oregon State Police troopers handled three driving under the influence incidents over the past day, according to the agency’s daily desk log, highlighting a busy stretch of impaired-driving enforcement across Wasco and Hood River counties.
April 23, 2026 — 3:50 p.m.
DUII — Controlled Substance | The Dalles
Troopers attempted to stop a gray Subaru wagon near 19th Street and Dry Hollow when the vehicle fled before being boxed in, according to the log. The driver showed multiple signs of impairment and experienced an overdose during contact. Troopers administered Narcan and the driver was transported to Adventist Health Columbia Gorge for treatment. A search warrant for a blood sample was obtained. The driver, identified as Lance Ernest Lauritsen, 41, of Parkdale, was arrested and cited for DUII involving intoxicants and a controlled substance, attempting to elude, and drug possession. The vehicle was impounded.
April 23, 2026 — 5:35 p.m.
DUII — Alcohol | Interstate 84 near Hood River
Troopers responded to reports of a vehicle repeatedly striking the median and nearly crashing into other motorists, according to the log. The vehicle was located traveling 81 mph in a 65 mph zone and failing to maintain its lane. The driver showed signs of impairment and admitted to drinking alcohol. After performing poorly on field sobriety tests, he was arrested. A breath test later showed a blood alcohol content of 0.15%. Matthew Todd Artis Bynum, 53, of Lyle, Washington, was cited for DUII, reckless driving and reckless endangering. The vehicle was towed.
April 23, 2026 — 9:10 p.m.
DUII — Alcohol | Cascade Locks
A trooper stopped a silver Ford Transit van on Wanapa Street for a lane violation, according to the log. The driver displayed signs of impairment, including watery eyes, the odor of alcohol and confusion. Field sobriety tests indicated impairment, and the driver was arrested. Breath samples later showed a BAC of 0.12%. Samuel David Amador, 32, of Spokane, Washington, was cited for DUII and released.
HR motorcycle rider killed in head-on crash; Other driver arrested on suspicion of DUI, Manslaughter
A Hood River man was killed Wednesday night on Highway 281 after an alleged DUI driver crossed into oncoming traffic, striking his motorcycle head-on. The crash closed the highway for five hours during investigation.
From Oregon State Police:
Hood River, Ore., Oct. 17, 2025 — A Hood River man was killed Wednesday night in a three-vehicle crash on Highway 281 after an alleged DUI driver attempted to pass in a no-passing zone, according to Oregon State Police.
Troopers said the crash occurred around 9:23 p.m. near milepost 7, when a southbound Subaru Impreza, driven by Pedro Jonathan Flores-Flores, 26, of Hood River, attempted to pass a southbound Toyota Corolla driven by Jesus Esquivel Martinez, 38, of Hood River. The Subaru struck a northbound Honda VT750 motorcycle, operated by Phillip Mickey Himes, 37, of Hood River, head-on.
Himes was pronounced dead at the scene. Both Flores-Flores and Esquivel Martinez were reportedly uninjured.
Flores-Flores was arrested on charges of DUII, reckless driving, two counts of reckless endangering, and first-degree manslaughter.
Highway 281 was closed for roughly five hours during the investigation. The Oregon State Police were assisted at the scene by the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office, Hood River Police Department, Wy’east Fire, and ODOT.
The crash remains under investigation.
About the Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU)
The Oregon State Police Collision Reconstruction Unit (CRU) is a specialized unit responsible for investigating fatal and critical injury collisions on Oregon’s highways. The team provides expertise in the documentation, investigation, and analysis of complex motor vehicle crashes and crime scenes. They receive specialized training in the use of advanced measuring techniques and small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) for on-scene investigations. The CRU team includes ACTAR accredited collision reconstructionists and technical collision investigators deployed across the state.
Hood River Officer injured when man driving Land Rover flees after traffic stop
Instead of surrendering, the driver hit the gas pedal, slamming the driver door and hitting Sgt. Delancy. The driver then fled westbound on I-84 from Hood River, prompting a pursuit involving the Oregon State Police.
By Tom Peterson
Hood River, Ore., March 17, 2025 — A 26-year-old Washington man is accused of injuring a Hood River Police officer when he sped away from being stopped, slamming the officers elbow and fingers in the driver’s door as the officer attempted to remove him from the vehicle on Sunday evening, March 16.
Hood River Police Sgt. Emelike Delancy. He was the 2021 DUII Enforcement Officer of the year in Oregon.
Hood River Police Sgt. Emelike Delancy had pulled the vehicle over at milepost 61 on Interstate at 8:48 p.m. when the altercation occurred. The driver had warrants for his arrest and Delancy was attempting to get him out of the vehicle to take him into custody.
The driver's door was open at that point.
Instead of surrendering, the driver hit the gas pedal, slamming the driver door and hitting Delancy. The dirver then fled westbound on I-84 from Hood River, prompting a pursuit involving the Oregon State Police.
A state trooper successfully deployed spike strips at milepost 28, disabling the vehicle. The driver stopped and was taken into custody without further incident.
Garrett Michael Comer, 26, of Everett, Washington
Authorities identified the driver as Garrett Michael Comer, 26, of Everett, Washington. The passenger was identified as Crystal Monique Gomez, 29, of Spanaway, Washington.
In 2015, Comer pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery for a heist at a south Everett marijuana business, according to the Everett Herald. Net. He was a juvenile at the time but was convicted as an adult and sentenced to 3 1/2 years.
The Hood River County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation.
Hood River Police Lt. Don Cheli said Sgt. Delancy was checked out at the emergency room in Hood River and was cleared to return to duty.
Cheli thanked OSP, and the Hood River Sheriff’s Department and all other assisting agencies in the case.
The Driver, Comer, was arrested and taken to NORCOR Jail in The Dalles.
Comer remained in jail this afternoon on second-degree assault, assault of a public safety officer, attempt to elude, driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, and several other allegations.
His bail was set at $10,000.
“This happens once in a while,” Cheli said of injuries caused by people fleeing a traffic stop. “While it is rare, for sure.”
