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“Under these conditions, any ignitions could spread rapidly. Precautions should be taken to prevent the start of new fires. The public is also reminded that drones are not permitted to fly in the fire's airspace. Doing so can cause grounding of all aircraft, hampering effective fire response,” stated a joint press release from the Oregon Department of Forestry and the State Fire Marshal.

Jul 13

Jul 13 Subsiding winds spur firefighters in 13,000-acre Larch Creek Fire; Cost at $6.2 million

Crews took advantage of calmer winds and additional resources on Friday, July 12. Air resources supported crews on the ground with helicopters, single-engine air tankers, and scoopers. On the north side, firefighters reinforced line, and efforts on the east side allowed Highway 216 to reopen.

Jul 12

Jul 12 Grand Jury finds Deputies and Officer involved in shooting was justified

Home Page, The Dalles, Wasco County

Upon the conclusion of the presentation of evidence, the grand jury returned a not true bill today, finding that the use of force by Wasco County Sheriff’s Deputies Tyler Williams and Joshua Augustus, and The Dalles City Police Officer Jeremiah Dutton that resulted in Law’s death was justified and not criminal under Oregon law. Sheriff’s Deputy Kanyon Reams and The Dalles City Police Officers Nolan Randall and Ezequiel Pitones were also on the scene during the incident, but the latter three did not discharge their firearms.

Jul 12

Jul 12 Larch Creek Fire Evacuation Update, July 12, 11:08 a.m.

LEVEL 3 - GO NOW: from Friend Rd in the north down to Rock Creek Dam Rd/Wamic Market Rd. in the south. Tygh Valley Rd. and the White River in the south to Hulse Rd. in the north. Threemile Rd from the west to the Deschutes River on the east.

Jul 12

Jul 12 Winds push Larch Creek Fire near Tygh Valley; Fire jumps Badger Creek Road

Afternoon winds on Thursday pushed the fire south as the fire spread into canyons and draws next to Highway 197 on Wednesday, July 10, and then moved on Thursday toward nearby Highway 216 - the road that leads from 197 to White River Falls on the way to the Deschutes River.

Jul 12

Jul 12 Grand Jury hears officer-involved shooting case today, July 12

“We will present evidence to the citizens of the community that are sitting on this grand jury and they will be asked to determine whether the officer-involved shooting was justified,” District Attorney Matthew Ellis said this morning, July 11. Jimmy L. Ewing, also known as August J. Law was fatally wounded during the shooting.

Jul 11

Jul 11 Larch Creek Fire Evacuation Update, July 11, 4 p.m.

Level 3 - GO NOW evacuation from Wamic & Pine Hollow. Wy'East Middle School (3000 Wy'East Rd) in Hood River is the designated shelter for people. The Hood River Fairgrounds (3020 Wy'East Rd) is still a shelter for livestock. Leave without delay. It is unsafe to stay and threatens the safety of you, your family, and emergency responders. Your life could be in great danger. Emergency services personnel may not be available to help you if you choose to stay.

Jul 11

Jul 11 Queen Audriyona honored to represent Wasco County; Fair tickets on sale

Business, Home Page, Positive News

Meet Wasco County Queen Audriyona and learn what is happening at the Wasco County Fair this year. Tickets are on sale now at a discount. Events kick off with Family Day on Aug. 15 and run through the 18th at the fairgrounds in Tygh Valley.

Jul 11

Jul 11 Brush Fire in Hood River

A brush fire is burning just east of Stonehedge Gardens on Wine Country Ave, according to Hood River Police.

Jul 11

Jul 11 Larch Creek Fire Evacuation Levels updated July 11, 1:30 p.m.; Hwy. 197 opens

LEVEL 1 GET READY -**NEW** From the west border of Van Miller Rd and the north border to the White River. The south border of Old Wapinitia Rd., and from the intersection of Old Wapinitia Rd. to the Deschutes River at a northeast direction. The north border is Oak Spring Rd on the east side of Hwy 197. From the intersection of Kingsley Rd. and Hix Rd. due east to the intersection of Tygh Ridge Rd. and Hwy 197, southeast to where Tygh Ridge Rd. turns north, and Tygh Ridge Rd. to the south.

Jul 11

Jul 11 Hood River Thrives with $39K in Grants to Boost Community Projects

Home Page, Hood River County

Through its annual Community Investment Grant Program, Visit Hood River announces the award of $39,278 in matching funds to seven local organizations.

Jul 11

Jul 11 Kiwanis Programs for July 2024

Karl Vercouteren

Kiwanis Programs for July 2024

Jul 11

Jul 11 Larch Creek Fire Jumps Highway 197 on grade leading into Tygh Valley

Local landowners and firefighters work through the night to stem Larch Creek Fire which has grown to some 10,000 acres. Heavy winds on Wednesday, July 10, sent embers across Highway 197, igniting areas of the canyon along the roadway just north of Tygh Valley.

Jul 11

Jul 11 Fire Restrictions on Mt. Hood National Forest

Home Page, Hood River County

Due to dry and hot conditions, campfires are prohibited across the Mt. Hood National Forest beginning Friday, July 12, 2024.

Jul 10

Jul 10 Larch Creek Fire Update: 7,100 acres; fire is human caused; Hwy. 197 closed

Firefighters slow the fire’s move toward Highway 197 but the highway remains closed at this time. Forecasters are calling for slightly cooler temps and decreasing winds on Thursday, July 11, which will help as multiple agencies and landowners work to control the blaze.

Jul 10

Jul 10 Larch Creek Fire Update July 10: More accurate mapping places fire at 7,100 acres

Joshuah Albert

The Dalles, Wasco County, Home Page

Initial attack crews worked through the night putting in dozer lines and burnouts along the east and west flanks from the north down to the unsecured south. The Central Oregon Type 3 Interagency Fire Management Team as well as the Green Incident Management Team from the Oregon State Fire Marshal are in place at the Dufur High School.

Jul 10

Jul 10 Meet the Travel Trainer Who’s Changing Lives for Gorge Residents

Cole Goodwin

Home Page, The Dalles, Wasco County, Skamania County, Positive News

Navigating public transit in the Columbia River Gorge can be daunting for many, but Sara Crook, a dedicated ‘Travel Trainer’ with the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District (MCEDD) and Columbia Area Transit, is on a mission to change that, one rider at a time.

Jul 10

Jul 10 Larch Creek Fire Update July 10: Level 2 GET SET Evacuations east of Hwy 197 to Deschutes River

Level 2 GET SET Evacuations have been upgraded for the areas east of Hwy 197, east to the Deschutes River, north to Hulse Rd, and south to Hwy 216. All other evacuation areas remain the same.

Jul 10

Jul 10 Larch Creek Fire Update July 10: Pine Hollow Reservoir Closed for Aircraft Use