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About Columbia Gorge news. (The Dalles, OR) 2020-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 2, 2020)
2 Wednesday,September2,2020 FIRE Residents retreat as fire advances Continued from page 1 and a high cultural resource area, according to a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) press release. A Level 3 evacuation notice has been issued for approx- imately 550 people in the affected communities. Tygh Valley, 11 miles from the fire, was put on Level 1 evacuation notice Saturday evening. Notices and updates are posted on the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. The incident is current- ly being managed under Unified Command of Noel Livingston (Pacific Northwest Team 3) and Ian Yocum (Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal Red Team). The east side of the fire saw significant fire activity both on the north and south corners, beginning early in the morning and continuing throughout the day, fire man- agers reported. The fire followed the White River Canyon, burning actively and making runs up and out of the canyon and spotting on the south side of the river. As the fire transitioned into the fine grasses, it moved rapidly towards Juniper Flat, where crews and engines worked to provide structure protection. Both fixed wing aircraft and helicopters were able to work the north and south sides of the fire, supporting crews on the ground with water and retardant. On the west side of the fire, crews continued to patrol and hold the containment lines on both the north and south edges. Overnight, firefighters remained focused on structure protection and monitoring the progress of the fire in White River Canyon. On Monday at press time, firefighters were reported continuing to provide struc- ture protection on both the south and east portions of the fire while also assessing any threats to the values at risk, including residences. On the west side of the fire, crews were set to continue line construction, holding and improving containment around the perimeter. Fire managers will be evaluating options for controlling the fire on the south side of the White River corridor, while also continuing to support structure protection along side the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s team. Columbia Gorge News names not be published due to privacy concerns, were evacuated — the first time — on Thursday, leaving their home on Highway 26 as the flames approached to about “five football fields away,” said Randy. They parked that night in a gravel pit not far from the fire, but were then evacuat- ed again Friday morning to make room for firefighting vehicles staging in the area. Diana said they have lived in the area five years, and this is the first incident where they have been evacuated from a fire. “It’s a little scary, you don’t know what’s going to happen,” she said. Neighbors had trouble get- ting their cattle out, she said, and two cows were killed on the highway as they were moved away from the fire. A Red Cross shelter, origi- nally established at Maupin High School, was moved Friday to Madras, noted Diana. “We don’t want to go all the way to Madras,” she said, the couple choosing instead to park their trailer in a gravel area just off Highway 26 near Maupin. FEMA funding On Thursday, FEMA authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefight- ing costs for the White River Fire, according to a FEMA press release. The White River Fire was at that time one of nine fires burning in Oregon, and was 10 percent contained. FEMA Region 10 Deputy Administrator Vincent Maykovich approved the funding request after deter- mining the fire “threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster.” Conflagration On Friday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown declared the fire a conflagration, open- ing the door to additional state resources to fight the fire, which is now under unified command by the Pacific Northwest Incident Management Team 3 and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office Red Team, according to incident managers. Firefighters and air re- sources are actively engaged in the suppression of the fire. The community closest to the fire is Sportsman’s Park. On Aug. 24, a pilot flying a Type 1 K-MAX helicopter on the White River Fire was killed while conducting bucket drops to help battle the blaze. The helicopter was a private contractor aircraft operating under a Call When Needed agreement with federal agencies. Wasco County Sheriff’s Office and USDA Forest Evacuations Service responded to the The White River Fire crash by sending air and started Monday, Aug. 17, ground resources to the on the Mt. Hood National scene. The crash site is in Forest in Wasco County and rugged terrain. is located 13 miles southwest “Yesterday, we lost a mem- of Government Camp in the ber of our firefighting family White River drainage near in a tragic helicopter crash,” Forest Road 48. It was ignited said Glenn Casamassa, by lightning, according to Regional Forester for the incident command. Pacific Northwest Region of Level 1 “get ready” evacua- the USDA Forest Service, in a tion notices were first issued U.S. Forest Service press re- Saturday, Aug. 22. Mandatory lease at the time. “We convey evacuations (Level 3 GO) our deepest sympathy to the notices followed Thursday, family, incident management Aug. 27, first for Pine Grove, team, firefighters, friends then east of the Bear Springs and emergency responders Ranger Station along involved. The courage to Highway 216. selflessly protect lives and Area residents Diana and property are respected and Randy, who asked their last admired. Their ultimate A sign out front of the Barlow District Ranger Station in Dufur is pictured Friday afternoon against a heavy haze of smoke and an Oregon State Police trooper heading north out of town. The White River Fire, southwest of Dufur, was declared a conflagration by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown Friday morning. Mark B. Gibson photo BUY BELOW DEALER COST ! PR ICES SLASH ED AGAIN ! + Jul ie & Dy lan’s Des ign s ! FINAL LIQUIDAT ION ! A sign outside Sage Photos and Ice Cream in downtown Maupin offers free ice cream for firefighters fighting the White River Fire south of The Dalles. Shop owner Bob Krein noted the White River Fire has “gotten bad for the last couple of days,” and he wanted to show his appreciation for those battling the blaze “just to tell them thanks.” Krein is a member of the local Rural Fire Protection District and has been helping on the fire. Mark B. Gibson photo sacrifice will not be forgotten. be distributed through the Firefighting is dangerous citizen alert system. work and risk is well known to those who fight the flames. We honor, we remember, we support the families and their loved ones. We affirm that we are a community and that the family is part of the firefight- 1631 Woods Ct ing family as well.” Suite 102 A temporary flight restric- Hood River, OR tion was put in effect over 97031 the area to protect firefighter safety. 541-386-0826 The National Transportation Safety Board Joe Guenther edwardjones.com and the Federal Aviation Financial Advisor Member SIPC Administration have been notified and the USDA Forest Service will be working with the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate further. “We don’t ever forget those people that are protecting our public lands and are on the front lines for us and our local communities,” said Wasco County Sheriff Lane Valid in 35-States, Magill. including Washington A Critical Incident Stress Management team will be assisting firefighters working on the incident. Residents and visitors in Shaun Curtain the area are asked to respect 360-921-2071 area road, recreation site or email: ShaunCurtain@gmail. and trail closures surround- com | www.ShaunCurtain.com ing the fire. Wasco County residents can register for Wasco County Citizen Alert at member.everbridge.net/ index/453003085612392#/ login. All emergency information including evacuations will EGG RIVER CAFÉ “Breakfast of champions” – New York Times Family friendly. Extensive breakfast & lunch menus. Organic eggs, omelets RIVERSIDE AT made with love, pan-cakes, waff les, THE HOOD RIVER INN skillets, eggs benedict, organic coffee, Diners seek out newly remodeled Riverside for some of the best food and views in the espresso, soups, salads, sandwiches, Gorge, and Cebu for great bar food and hamburgers. Full bar available drinks. Fresh menus change seasonally Open daily, 6am-2pm —plus an award-winning wine list. Cebu’s 1313 Oak St., Hood River Happy Hours are Mon.-Fri., 4-6pm. 541-386-1127 | eggrivercafe.com Featuring fine authentic Mexican food and cocktails. Spacious outdoor seating. Closed Tuesdays Sun. -Thurs. 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Fri. - Sat. 9:30 am to 10 pm 1210 13th St., on the Heights, Hood River | 541-387-3300 Hood River Jewelers CLOSING LIQUIDATION! SALE ENDS Tues. Sept 8 FINAL MARKDOWNS TAKEN ! Restaurant GUIDE HOOD RIVER TAQUERIA MEXICAN RESTAURANT HoodRiverNews.com • TheDallesChronicle.com • WhiteSalmonEnterprise.com Best Western Plus Hood River Inn 1108 E. Marina Way, Hood River 541-386-4410 Open every day 6 am to 9 pm Advertise your restaurant here! Only $0.10 a word with a 25 word minimum- To add your restaurant, email sales@gorgenews.com CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT CLASS Doors Close Forever Sept 8th 5:30 FINAL LIQUIDATION ! BUY BELOW WHOLESALE! Colored Gemstone, Diamond, Silver Designer Jewery SLASHED FOR IMMEDIATE LIQUIDATION ! 415 Oak St, Hood River 541-386-6440 September 15th Hampton Inn 1 Nichols Parkway Hood River Classes at 3PM or 6PM SPACE IS LIMITED $ 80 Oregon Only $ 45 Multi-State Oregon Included No Fee LABOR DAY HOLIDAY CHANGES Due to the Labor Day Holiday, The Columbia Gorge News will need to adjust delivery that week. The delivery for subscribers will move to Thursday, September 10. DELIVERY ON THURSDAY LABOR DAY WEEK. All other deadlines will remain the same: Display Advertising Reservation Due 5p.m. Wednesday, Sept., 2 Legal Public Notices, Classified Advertising and Obituaries 4p.m. Friday, Sept., 4 Our new offices and locations! • Currently: 1800 W. 10th Street., The Dalles 541-296-2141 Open Mon-Fri, 9-Noon • 600 E. Port Marina Way Suite B (DMV building) Hood River 541-386-1234 Open Mon-Fri, 9-Noon • Elba Offices, 288 E. Jewett St., Suite 650, White Salmon 509-493-2112 The White Salmon office will be open by appointment, just call our email us! Due to COVID 19, we have the Hood River office and The Dalles offices open limited hours.
