As we move into another wildfire season in the Columbia River Gorge, many of us are remembering the devastating fires that have impacted our region over the years — from the Eagle Creek Fire to the Tunnel 5 Fire, the Rowena Fire, the Burdoin Fire, and countless smaller incidents that threatened homes, businesses, forests, and lives. While some of the worst disasters have thankfully not happened in every Gorge community, the reality is that wildfire danger continues to grow every year.
The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most beautiful places in the country, but it is also uniquely vulnerable. Dry summers, steep terrain, strong winds, and increasing fire conditions mean our communities depend heavily on local firefighters and emergency responders. What many people do not realize is that a large portion of those responders are volunteers.
Volunteer firefighters are not just people with years of experience or special backgrounds. They are teachers, mechanics, nurses, construction workers, students, business owners, parents, and neighbors who decided to step up when their communities needed them. They train hard, sacrifice their time, and respond when emergencies happen — often in the middle of the night or during family dinners and holidays.
Every community in the Gorge needs more people willing to stand up and help if they can. Not everyone needs to become a career firefighter to make a difference. Fire districts throughout the Gorge need volunteers, EMTs, support personnel, and community members willing to serve. Training is often provided, and many departments welcome people with no prior experience.
Departments and volunteer programs throughout the Columbia River Gorge include:
• Cascade Locks Fire & EMS
• Stevenson Fire Department
• Skamania County Fire District 2
• South Wasco Fire & Rescue
• South West Fire & RescueÂ
• Hood River Fire & EMS
• Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue
• Columbia River Fire & Rescue
• Hoodland Fire District
• Dallesport Fire District
• North Bonneville Fire Department
• Klickitat County Fire Districts and rural volunteer agencies throughout the Gorge
The Gorge has always been built on neighbors helping neighbors. Whether the next emergency is a wildfire, medical call, vehicle accident, or rescue operation, these departments rely on ordinary people willing to do extraordinary things for their communities.
If you have ever thought about getting involved, now is the time. South West Fire & Rescue is holding an open house on June 10 from 4-7 p.m. at 119 NE Church Ave., White Salmon. Learn about what you can do for your community — they may need you sooner than you think.
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Cameron Rahe lives in White Salmon, Washington. He is a Volunteer Firefighter for SW Fire & Rescue (West Klickitat Regional Fire Authority). He works full time as a real estate agent for Windermere Columbia River Gorge. As a realtor, he understands the struggle to keep home insurance rates down and to be dropped completely. A robust fire department with fast response times can directly affect rates and coverage.
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