Ballots are on the way for the Aug. 3 Primary Election

OLYMPIA–Registered voters across Washington will soon receive ballots for the upcoming Primary Election, Tuesday, Aug. 3. The Primary Election’s 18-day voting period begins Friday, July 16, and lasts through election day. Ballots include a prepaid-postage return envelope, so people who return their ballots via U.S. mail do not have to pay for a stamp. Voters who place their ballots in an official drop box must do so by 8 p.m. on election day. Drop box locations may be found at VoteWA.gov.

Umatilla National Forest temporarily closes the Pomeroy Ranger District

PENDLETON, Ore. (July 12, 2021)–With persistent hot and dry conditions, active large wildfires, and critical fire weather in the forecast, forest officials on the Umatilla National Forest have temporarily closed all lands managed by the Pomeroy Ranger District. For more information, see East Washingtonian article, page 1.

Green Ridge Fire July 11 Update

Expanded area and road closure implemented

PENDLETON, Ore.— Hot and dry weather continues to challenge firefighters on the Green Ridge Fire, which has now burned approximately 175 acres on the Pomeroy Ranger District. Continued fire activity has prompted forest officials to expand the area and road closure surrounding the fires for public and firefighter safety.

The closure is effective immediately and includes all or portions of Forest Service Roads 46, 4608, 4610, 47, 4712, 4713, the Teepee trail, the Meadow Creek trail, the Panjab trail, Mt. Misery trail, Rattlesnake trail, Turkey Creek trail and the Tucannon trail. Additionally, Midway, Godman, and Panjab campgrounds are closed. The Godman Guard Station is closed. Access to the Turkey Tail Recreation Residences is closed. A detailed map and description of the closure area is available on the Forest website and at any Forest office. Closure barriers and signs will be posted on the ground.

Green Ridge Fire July 10 Update

PENDLETON, Ore. (July 10, 2021 – 11 a.m.) — Firefighters continue suppression efforts on the Green Ridge Fire, which has now burned approximately 143 acres on the Pomeroy Ranger District.

The Green Ridge Fire, which is located approximately 30 miles east of Walla Walla, Washington, is comprised of two wildfires burning in steep, rugged terrain, consisting of mostly timber, grass and shrubs. Values at risk include structures in the area. Yesterday’s fire behavior consisted of active upslope runs, spotting and torching. Steep ground with rolling rocks and burning material is adding to fire growth and containment difficulties. Firefighters, aided by aerial resources, focused suppression efforts on protecting the values at risk and establishing containment lines to slow the spread of the fire.

Area and road closure implemented on Green Ridge and Turkey Tail Fires

Type 3 Interagency Management Team takes command of both fires

PENDLETON, Ore. (July 9, 2021)–Firefighters continue battling two fires burning in the Green Ridge area on the Pomeroy Ranger District, approximately 30 miles east of Walla Walla, Washington. Forest officials have implemented an area and road closure surrounding the two fires for public and firefighter safety.

The closure is effective immediately and includes all or portions of Forest Service Roads 46, 4608, 4713, 4610, the Tepee trail, the Meadow Creek trail and Panjab trail. Additionally, Midway and Panjab campgrounds are closed. Access to the Turkey Tail Recreation Residences is also closed. A detailed map and description of the closure area is available on the Forest website and at any Forest office. Closure barriers and signs will be posted on the ground.

Pomeroy Ranger District Fire Update

Area and road closure in effect for public and firefighter safety

PENDLETON, Ore. (July 8, 2021 – 12 p.m.) — Forest officials have implemented an area and road closure surrounding numerous new fires on the Pomeroy Ranger District for public and firefighter safety. Firefighters continue battling new starts following passing thunderstorms over the Pomeroy Ranger District on Wednesday, July 7.

Umatilla National Forest moves to Phase C Public Use Restrictions

Campfires and chainsaw use prohibited

PENDLETON, Ore. (July 8, 2021)–Due to continued hot temperatures, lack of moisture and extreme fire danger, Umatilla National Forest officials have announced that effective 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2021, the Umatilla National Forest will move to Phase C of public use restrictions (PURs).

Dry Gulch Fire

CLARKSTON, Wash.–Widespread lightning on July 7 started the Dry Gulch and Lick Creek Fires, ranging from two miles SW of Asotin, Washington to approximately 15 miles SW of Asotin. The fires have burned together and are now being managed as a single fire, the Dry Gulch Fire.

Thunderstorms ignite fires on the Pomeroy Ranger District

Type 2 Interagency Management Team ordered for newly reported Lick Creek Fire

PENDLETON, Ore. (July 7, 2021 – 5 p.m.) —Fire crews on the Pomeroy Ranger District are responding to reports of smoke and fire following passing thunderstorms this morning. So far, six new incidents on the Umatilla National Forest have been reported to the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center.

USDA Announces $500 Million for Expanded Meat & Poultry Processing Capacity

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Ia..–USDA is announcing it intends to make significant investments to expand processing capacity and increase competition in meat and poultry processing to make agricultural markets more accessible, fair, competitive, and resilient for American farmers and ranchers. This is one of several key steps that USDA will take to increase competition in agricultural markets, pursuant to President Biden’s Executive Order on promoting competition and as part of USDA efforts to build a more resilient supply chain and better food system. Together, USDA’s actions will help farmers, ranchers, farmworkers and consumers all get a fair shake.

Initial and continued claims for regular benefits decreased

OLYMPIA–There were 5,924 initial regular unemployment claims (down 21.1 percent from the prior week) and 343,246 total claims for all unemployment benefit categories (down 7.0 percent from the prior week) filed by Washingtonians, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD) during the week of June 27 – July 3.

Washington State Redistricting Commission offers publicly available mapping tool

OLYMPIA–Olympia–The Washington State Redistricting Commission (WSRC) has rolled out the first phase of a publicly available mapping tool.

The mapping tool allows for the mapping of state legislative and congressional districts using population estimates from the Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM). The OFM data are the most accurate population estimates available. However, they are not the official census data the WSRC will use to draw maps this Fall. The official Census data is not available until mid-August.

Administration invests $307 million in Rural Water and Wastewater infrastructure improvements

WASHINGTON D.C.–Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announces $307 Million investment in Rural Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Improvements in 34 States, which includes Washington State, and Puerto Rico.