Free news: The Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked Wednesday afternoon for the fast-moving Grasshopper Fire in Wasco County. The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing an incident management team and assigning task forces to protect nearby communities and critical infrastructure.

Free news: With national firefighting resources stretched to their limits, statewide fire restrictions remain in effect for all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout Oregon and Washington.

Free news: As of today, June 15, all Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) districts are in fire season. This means that to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires, fire restrictions may be in place where you live or at a destination you plan to visit or recreate. 

Free commentary: The Columbia River Gorge is one of the most beautiful places in the country, but it is also uniquely vulnerable.