Grasshopper Fire reaches 31,571 acres; containment grows to 17% as evacuations ease
Firefighters have increased containment on the Grasshopper Fire to 17%, allowing evacuation levels to be lowered for Wamic, Pine Hollow and Sportsmans Park while the wildfire grows to more than 31,500 acres.
Man Accused of Intentionally Setting Jeep on Fire along I-84 near The Dalles
A 33-year-old man was arrested after Oregon State Police said he intentionally set his Jeep on fire along Interstate 84 near The Dalles, causing flames to spread into roadside brush and toward a nearby railroad.
This Week at The Dalles Library: Aug. 3, 2026
The Dalles Public Library will offer crafts, games, family programs, a virtual Smithsonian presentation, and a live flamenco fusion performance during the first full week of August.
Grasshopper Fire Crews Expand Containment Strategy as Battle Shifts to Long-Term Control
Firefighters battling the Grasshopper Fire are shifting from direct attack to a broader containment strategy, constructing backup fire lines while strengthening defenses around Pine Hollow and Sportsmans Park as the wildfire remains more than 21,000 acres and 0% contained.
Adventist Health Columbia Gorge Completes Water’s Edge Reopening
Adventist Health Columbia Gorge has finished reopening clinics in the Water’s Edge building, located at 551 NE Lone Pine Blvd in The Dalles, Oregon. The most recent reopenings include Rehabilitation Services, Cardiology, and Orthopedics. Columbia Gorge ENT, Internal Medicine, and the Sleep Clinic already reopened in the space in June.
City of Wasco Seeks Bids for Water Meter Replacement Project
The City of Wasco is seeking contractors to replace 140 residential and commercial water meters as part of a public works project, with sealed bids due by 4 p.m. Aug. 28.
Grasshopper Fire grows to more than 18,000 acres as crews hold lines protecting Pine Hollow
The Grasshopper Fire expanded to 18,136 acres Tuesday, but firefighters successfully held containment lines protecting Pine Hollow and Sportsman's Park as more than 230 personnel continued battling the blaze under gusty afternoon winds.
Fire Updates: July 28, 1 p.m.: Grasshopper Fire grows by 3,000 acres south of Dufur
Fire activity intensified across Wasco County on Tuesday as the Grasshopper Fire expanded to 13,612 acres, prompting continued Level 3 evacuations near Wamic, Pine Hollow and Sportsman's Park. Meanwhile, FEMA approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant to help cover firefighting costs, while improving conditions on several other regional wildfires allowed evacuation levels to be reduced or lifted in parts of southern Wasco County and the Hay Creek Complex.
Applications Now Open for 2026 Local Government Academy
Applications are now open for the 2026 Local Government Academy, a free program that gives community members an inside look at how the City of The Dalles operates.
Grasshopper Fire tops 10,700 acres as crews hold key lines; 8-Mile Fire reaches 35% containment
Firefighters made significant progress Monday on two major wildfires burning in and near Wasco County, holding critical containment lines on the Grasshopper Fire while increasing containment on the smaller Eightmile Fire west of Dufur.
This Week at The Dalles Library: July 27, 2026
The Dalles Public Library has a full lineup of free programs for adults, children, teens and families during the final week of July and the start of August. Registration is required for select events.
CCCNews Podcast: Banks-Vernonia Advocate Says Passion, Persistence Fuel Oregon's Rails-to-Trails Success
A Banks-Vernonia trail advocate says community persistence, partnerships and historic preservation transformed an abandoned railroad into an economic asset, offering lessons for the Deschutes railbed.
The Realities of Importing Portland’s Superfund Waste to Wasco County: Toxic Cargo and Tight Turns
Imagine 200,000 truckloads of toxic Superfund waste moving from the Portland Harbor to a rural hillside perched 1,000 feet above The Dalles. As the EPA moves toward a cleanup plan, our community is facing a massive logistical and environmental test. Our latest investigation dives into the reality of the "Driveline",the treacherous, steep route these convoys would take, and exposes critical gaps in current PCB (and other superfund toxin’s) monitoring and local oversight. How prepared is Wasco County for the industrial reality of this cleanup? Read the full story to understand the timeline, the financial dependencies, and the urgent need for a modernized approach to public safety before the first truck arrives.
New Playground at The Annex Brings Safety and Joy to Family Shelter
Mid-Columbia Community Action Council (MCCAC) is celebrating a joyful addition to The Annex: a brand-new playground on the facility's family side, made possible through generous donations from Google, Granite Construction, and The Whiting-Turner Contracting Company.
Benefit Concert Planned After Gorge Musician Seriously Injured in SR 14 Motorcycle Crash
A 28-year-old motorcyclist was airlifted to a Vancouver hospital after crashing along State Route 14 near the Chamberlain Rest Area in Klickitat County. Washington State Patrol said the crash remains under investigation.
Columbia Gorge Community College Manufacturing Program Named Center of the Year by U.S. Department of Energy
National Industrial Training and Assessment Centers network honors CGCC with the Manufacturing Outcomes Award for outstanding real-world support and engagement with small and mid-sized manufacturers
Lightning-Sparked Fire Complexes Continue to Grow Across Mid-Columbia; New Evacuation Orders Issued
Wildfires sparked by last week's lightning storm continue to burn across the Mid-Columbia, with new evacuation notices issued Sunday in Wasco and Gilliam counties as firefighters battle several large fire complexes.
The Dalles City Council to Consider Annexation, Q-Life Telecommunications Franchise
The Dalles City Council is scheduled to consider two special ordinances at its July 27 meeting, including the annexation of property within the city's urban growth boundary and the approval of a non-exclusive telecommunications franchise for Q-Life Intergovernmental Agency. The proposed ordinances will be available for public review in the council agenda packet beginning July 20, and members of the public may register to testify before the meeting.
What's Happening this Week at The Dalles Library, July 20, 2026
The Dalles Public Library has a full week of family-friendly activities, crafts, games and performances scheduled July 19–25, along with opportunities for children and teens to get involved through hands-on learning and creative programs.
Reminder: Fog Seal Work to Bring Temporary Street Closures Across The Dalles Beginning July 20
The City of The Dalles will apply fog seal to streets treated with chip seal last month, requiring temporary daytime closures on dozens of streets July 20-22.