CHARLIE VANDEN HEUVEL
Columbia Gorge Beekeepers Association
Updated
The Columbia Gorge region is blessed with significant agricultural plots of land. From berry farms to orchards the landscape is blanketed with flora as the buds open to flowers in hopes of pollination.
A chimney fire Sunday at Hood River Hotel created enough smoke to draw the attention of five fire departments, including Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue out of The Dalles, but caused no damage and firefighters cleared the scene in less than an hour.
A chimney fire Sunday at Hood River Hotel created enough smoke to draw the attention of five fire departments, but caused no damage and firefighters cleared the scene in less than an hour.
This past week yet another home was severely damaged by a fire likely caused by a chimney problem. Our prolonged cold weather has prompted higher use of all types of heating appliances and each has its own risks and safety requirements. Wood burning stoves and chimneys require close inspection and regular maintenance. Even the high efficiency catalytic stoves can create a hazard.
Two engines, one each from Hood River and West Side Fire, and about a dozen fire fighters responded to a reported house fire in the 1500 block of Tucker Road Monday afternoon. West Side fire station was only blocks away from the scene and the engines, along with several volunteers in their own vehicles, arrived at the scene moments after being dispatched.
A working smoke alarm and a quick fire department response helped prevent what could have been a devastating house fire on Jan. 6 at 1605 Sherman Ave. in Hood River.
