The Dalles Area Chamber of Commerce is once again rallying the community to support youth agriculture by organizing a Chamber Pool for the upcoming Wasco County Fair Youth Livestock Auction.

As the Burdoin Fire burns into its sixth day, firefighters are racing against rising temperatures and wind to contain the estimated 11,000-acre blaze threatening homes, infrastructure, and public lands in the Columbia River Gorge. New fires are also complicating efforts to protect people and structures.

A fast-moving Brewer Road Fire broke out this afternoon on a remote, forested hillside along Brewer Road north of Klickitat, prompting Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations for the communities of Klickitat and Wahkiacus as fire crews raced to access the difficult terrain.

Cody Miller loves to break records, especially in fundraising. The local owner of Grocery Outlet in The Dalles has taken this theme to a whole new level of philanthropy as he teamed up with the St. Vincent De Paul Board to raise money for it’s food bank. They’re standing on the precipice of greatness.

As of 7/23/2024 at 12:30 PM and most current:  

Level 3 "GO NOW" for North of Alder Creek, West to Crider Valley, East to Peterson; and from East Road to Sand Ridge Rd to the East and Alder Creek south to the  Columbia River.  

Level 2 "GET SET" for Middle Rd to the West, Coleman Rd to the North, Klickitat  County Line to the East; and from Sand Ridge Rd to the Klickitat County Line. 

Level 1 "GET READY" Evacuation for North of Coleman Rd to Stegeman and Van Horn,  West to East Rd, East to Klickitat County Line.

The Oregon Memorial Traveling Wall made a poignant visit to the Oregon Veterans Home in The Dalles, honoring fallen soldiers from Oregon.

Update July 23, 10:30 a.m.: Currently, the fire is threatening residential and agricultural lands, critical infrastructure and a natural gas plant. Level 3 - GO NOW: East Road to Sand Ridge Road to the East and Alder Creek South to the Columbia River.  Level 2 - GET SET: Sand Ridge Road to the Klickitat County Line. 

A Sweep Master lost control and rolled down Case Street near the Wasco County Courthouse today, ultimately flipping and coming to a stop in the middle of E. 7th Street. 

Update, July 23, 10:30 a.m. — 100 structures are within the fire’s immediate reach, estimated Spokesman Andy Dwyer. The fire is in the urban interface bringing in engines and firefighters who will work from a defensive tack to keep homes from burning.

A customer, who was there with family having a late dinner, said she observed a man come into the restaurant at about 2:40 a.m., and he brandished a knife and demanded money from the Denny’s employee behind the register. 

She loved that little ball of fur. I paid the bill. There was a man in the clinic watching what had transpired.  Remarkably, he gave his name and phone number to the clinician, saying he’d pay the kitten’s future medical expenses.