Local News
News Stories for Mon., Jul. 31, 2017
Jul
The Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center reminds everyone that we are in EXTREME fire danger in Central Oregon. Hot and dry weather conditions are forecasted to continue as we move into peak fire season. Fire restrictions are now in place on public lands, limiting campfires to only designated campgrounds. The public is asked to avoid driving or parking over dry grass and properly extinguish cigarette butts before disposing of them.
The Whitewater fire which has been burning since last week in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness area is causing concern for firefighters ahead of a weather forecast that includes unusually hot, dry and unstable weather conditions. The hotter weather is expected to increase fire behavior, which would pose a safety risk to hikers in the Jefferson Park area. Therefore all trails into Jefferson Park are closed as of 6am this morning for public safety. That’s an 11-mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail north of its junction with the Woodpecker Trail and south of Breitenbush Lake. A Type 2 Incident Management Team will take over from a Type 3 team today. A new fire camp has been established at the Hoodoo Ski Area. Motorists are advised to reduce speeds and use caution when traveling on Highway 22 due to the high volume of fire traffic.
Columbia River Zone 6 opens up commercial platform and hook & line sales tomorrow, August 1st, at midnight. That continues until Tuesday October 31st. Salmon, steelhead, shad, walleye, catfish, bass, carp and yellow perch may be sold or kept for subsistence use. A commercial sturgeon setline fishery seasons has been set. It begins 6 am, Tuesday August 1st and end at 6 pm, Saturday, August 12. The open area is limited to the John Day Pool. For more details and the latest information you can call the Fishing and Hunting Hotline at 541-553-2000.
Senator Ron Wyden will hold eight town halls in Oregon August 5th through the 10th. Wyden’s town halls in Multnomah, Hood River, Columbia, Washington, Marion, Jefferson and Clackamas counties will increase to 62 town halls he has held so far in 2017. The town hall schedule includes a stop at the Warm Springs K-8 Academy at 2:30 on Thursday August 10th.
In partnership with several tribal members, the Oregon Climate and Health Program is releasing 8 digital stories about climate change and community health in Warm Springs. The videos were created earlier this year and feature 8 local community members sharing their perspective. The videos were created in a workshop co-facilitated by a non-profit called StoryCenter. There will be a free screening of the videos next Monday, August 7th from 6:30 to 8pm at the Community Center Social Hall.
Warm Springs Recreation is hosting their Invitational Youth Track Meet tomorrow, Tuesday August 1st, at the Warm Springs K8 track. Registration starts at 5:15 and events at 6. It’s for boys and girls 2-12 years old. Participants get a t-shirt & water bottle.
Just a reminder to families – its back to school two weeks from today at the Warm Springs K-8 Academy on Monday August 14th. For incoming freshman at Madras High School – the summer bridge program starts next Monday August 7th for half days.
