News Stories Aug. 1, 2018

A reservation wide burn ban was issued Tuesday for “extreme fire danger” conditions and went into effect immediately. According to the notice, a burn ban means all outside agricultural and residential burning is not allowed. This includes weed burning, burn barrels an d burn bins. Outdoor camp fires are not allowed. Only propane or charcoal barbecue or camp stove cooking is allowed. While ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from this ban, it is not recommended. Individuals are encouraged to contact Warm Springs Fire Management’s Prevention team prior to these types of fires. They can be reached at 553-2413.

Several departments located in the Tribal Administration Building closed early yesterday as extremely high temperatures were deemed unsafe. Employees from Purchasing, Finance, Cash Management, Accounts Payable, Travel Desk and Payroll were released at 4:30. These areas were said to be affected by the HVAC system.

The Warm Springs Branch of Public Safety has undergone some leadership changes this week. Jim Soules had been serving in an acting position for the branch, however his last day was Monday. In a letter to Tribal Council and Tribal employees, Chief Operations Officer Alyssa Macy informed that as of Tuesday, July 31, Nancy Seyler is now serving as the Acting Public Safety General Manager, and Casey Lockey will serve as the Acting Chief of Police. The notice also stated that the position of Public Safety General Manager is posted on the tribal website, and they hope to have the position filled in the coming month.

PYEONGTAEK, South Korea (AP) — The remains of dozens of presumed American war dead are beginning their journey home decades after the end of the Korean War. The American-led U.N. Command held a repatriation ceremony for the remains at an air base in South Korea on Wednesday before transport planes take them to Hawaii for identification. North Korea handed over 55 boxes of remains last week as part of an agreement reached during a June summit between its leader, Kim Jong Un, and U.S. President Donald Trump.

A wildland fire raging on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge grew to more than 11,000 acres overnight, threatening homes, crops and livestock, officials said. The grass-fueled blaze broke out Tuesday along State Route 14 west of Wishram around 4:30 p.m., according to the U.S. Forest Service. The so-called Milepost 90 fire then quickly spread across private, Forest Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs land, officials said. The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office issued an immediate evacuation order (Level 3) for those living in Wishram Heights north of SR-14. Those residing in the area south of the highway should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice (Level 2), the sheriff’s office said. Authorities also issued a Level 3 evacuation order to those living in the area east of Dallas Mountain road and west of U.S. 97 as well as those south of SR-14 at Maryhill Winery. Parts of Maryville and Centerville remain under a Level 2 evacuation order, the sheriff’s office said. Officials have closed SR-14 between U.S. 97 and U.S. 197