Columbia River Gorge Commission

08/18/2026

Please be safe in the Gorge this week, with so many active wildfires in the broader region! The National Weather Service has just issued a Red Flag Warning for the Lower Columbia Basin through this evening.

Please be aware, the National Weather Service has a Red Flag Warning in place for the Lower Columbia Basin and North Central Oregon through this evening.

Take steps to prevent sparking a human-caused fire. It is extremely dry across the state and as our fire season has shown us so far this year, it doesn't take much for a fire to take off.

Thanks!

FORECAST: https://www.weather.gov/fire
PREVENTION: https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/pages/prevent-wildfires.aspx

08/07/2026

Congratulations to our Climate Program Manager Lisa Naas Cook, who was recognized as a 2026 Ambassador of Public Service by Oregon Governor Kotek in May!

Lisa exemplifies collaborative and inclusive leadership, demonstrating dedication and public service through her daily work by combining science, effective communication, and strong analytical skills. She is committed to making a meaningful difference for our treasured landscapes and Gorge communities. She always goes above and beyond the duties of her position, always promotes trust and transparency with her work, and is very proud of working for a public agency. Her work ethic and integrity are exemplary.

Thank you Lisa, and Governor Kotek for the recognition!

07/30/2026

Two of our tribal partners are heavily impacted by the dangerous wildfires in our region. Please see information below on both and help if you can.

To learn more and support the Yakama Nation relief effort, visit: https://yakama.com/programs/signal-peak-and-ransier-fire-updates/
Contact for donation drop-off:
Elizabeth Sanchey
(509) 945-2939
[email protected]

To learn more and support the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs relief effort, visit: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/the-confederated-tribes-of-the-warm-springs-reservation-of-oregon-ctws-wildfire-recovery-fund
Contact for donation drop-off:
Caroline Cruz, Chief Operations Officer
(541) 460-1109
[email protected]

***OFFICIAL CTWS DONATION ACCOUNT***The Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon (CTWS) sincerely appreciates the generosity and support…

07/20/2026

Our Executive Director Krystyna Wolniakowski was pleased to get some time with OR Senator Jeff Merkley this weekend, where she was able to thank him for supporting the additional $2M in appropriations to the USDA rural program that funds our small business loans in the National Scenic Area!

We appreciate all of the support over the years by our local politicians, and hope to see many of them at our 40th anniversary celebration later this year.

07/14/2026

On June 16th, Gorge Commission and Forest Service staff, county planners, and wildfire experts toured the National Scenic Area (NSA) to see wildfire risk reduction in action.

Key takeaways:

· Oak Habitats: Learned how Oregon white oaks are an important fire adapted species in our region.

· Wildfire Risk Reduction: Discussed balancing defensible space and home hardening practices with NSA resource protection.

· Collaboration: Strengthened partner connections and shared resources.

It was a valuable opportunity to see defensible space practices in action, discuss successes and challenges, and share ideas that can help inform the upcoming NSA Management Plan review.

A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this important day of learning! We look forward to our continued work together supporting fire adapted communities across the Gorge.

06/30/2026

We have issued a Media Advisory for immediate release: please be aware of email scams where the sender is purporting to be the Gorge Commission. The CRGC does not collect fees from the public - please be aware and protect yourself from scams!

06/30/2026

As wildfire activity continues in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, our agency is working closely with our federal, state, tribal, and local partners to support response efforts. With the recently developing Lyle Hill Fire in Klickitat County, our staff are monitoring the fire's status and any effects to National Scenic Area residents.

Residents can find current information about the Lyle Hill Fire at Klickitat County's Department of Emergency Management website (https://www.klickitatcounty.gov/249/Emergency-Management). Additional local wildfire ready resources can be found on the Klickitat County Wildfire Resource Hub (https://www.wildfirereadyklickitat.org/). If you are a resident in the National Scenic Area whose property has been affected by the Lyle Hill Fire, please reach out to Gorge Commission planners for support by visiting our webpage at https://gorgecommission.org/.

We are grateful to the firefighters, emergency responders, land managers, and public safety personnel working tirelessly to protect lives, communities, and landscapes.
Please continue to follow official sources for evacuation information, closures, and safety updates.

Welcome to the Columbia River Gorge Commission. We are a team of staff and commissioners responsible for managing the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in both Oregon and Washington—a special place known for its amazing views, rich history, natural landscapes, outdoor recreation, and vibra...

06/08/2026

The Columbia River Gorge is one of America’s great natural treasures — 292,500 acres of dramatic cliffs, iconic waterfalls, and vibrant communities stretching across six counties in Oregon and Washington.

As summer draws visitors and residents outdoors, the Gorge Commission encourages everyone to explore responsibly. Whether you’re hiking at Eagle Creek or Dog Mountain, visiting a farm stand in Hood River, or casting a line near The Dalles, you’re in the heart of the largest and most diverse National Scenic Area in the United States.

Learn more about the places we protect and the communities we serve: gorgecommission.org

05/20/2026

“We at the Columbia River Gorge Commission were saddened to learn of the sudden passing of Wasco County Commissioner, Phil Brady”, said Gorge Commission Chair Carina Miller. “He cared deeply for his community and the place we all love and share - the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. His service reflects a quiet dedication to the people and landscapes he represented. We are thankful for all of his service and time spent shaping this place. Our hearts are with his family, colleagues, and all who are grieving this loss.”

Commissioner Brady most recently worked closely with the Gorge Commission to provide insight and thoughtful guidance on the recent Management Plan Amendment to assist landowners to more quickly rebuild in the National Scenic Area after the devastating Rowena fires. Rodger Nichols, Wasco County appointee to the Gorge Commission added, “His gentle and caring soul will be missed.”

05/20/2026

Our May monthly Commissioners meeting was held in-person - many thanks to the Elk Ridge Golf Course and our host Kevin Waters, WA State Representative, for the lovely welcome. With so many meetings regularly on Zoom, it was enlivening and productive to all be in the same room!