By SUE RYAN
News staff writer
July 6, 2007

Only two fires broke out in Hood River County during the July Fourth holiday.

One blaze burned on the cliff just below the Vagabond Lodge. West Side Fire Chief Jim Trammel said that Hood River Fire responded initially and knocked the blaze down.

“We’re pretty sure it was fireworks-related, although no one would step forward and admit it,” Trammel said. “It could have been much more serious because of its location but they got on it right away.”

The second burn was in Pine Grove Fire District near Tum-A-Lum Lumber. Fire Chief Greg Borton said the fire happened after the main fireworks display had finished at the port. He said a truck driver had stopped and stomped out most of it before crews arrived.

Cascade Locks Fire Chief Jeff Pricher reported no fires but said his volunteers confiscated 40 pounds of illegal fireworks.

While fire activity may have been slow during the holiday, fire officials warn that the danger has climbed even higher with hot and dry conditions. The Oregon Department of Forestry has gone to regulated closures on all of its lands in Wasco and Hood River counties.

“We’ve gone from a red flag watch to red flag warning,” said Jim Trammel, West Side Fire Chief.

Restrictions include no use of chain saws and smoking only in vehicles or while standing on a road. More closure information can be found at the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Web site.

Trammel said an added factor will be thunderstorms expected to break along the ridges of the Cascade Mountains this weekend.