Snowden Community
Fire Danger Today: HIGH
COMMUNITY SERVICES
- Call or Text 988 for Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline
- WAGAP (Washington Gorge Action Programs)
- 24-hour crisis line for domestic violence/sexual assault: 844-493-1709
- Bingen office: 800-755-1192 or 509-493-2662. Services include: Food Bank, Emergency Housing, Housing Assistance, Domestic Violence Assistance, Youth Center, Financial Programs.
Latest News:
The Klickitat County Planning Department is beginning a two-year process to update its outdated 1979 Comprehensive Plan for the county (link to current plan). The Comprehensive Plan is “the primary land use document to implement the community’s vision for future growth and development while protecting livability, culture, natural resources, and the environment.” A draft of the updated plan is to be completed by the end of June.
Link to Zoom audio for Planning Commission meeting that took place on 16 June, 2025. The discussion included a continued review of the community feedback regarding the County Comprehensive Plan Update.
Many Snowden residents are very unhappy with the recent changes to Republic Services’ new recycling program, for a variety of reasons. BoCC Commissioner Lori Zoller is aware of our grievances. Please join resident Dawn Stover (read her detailed letter) in letting Lori know about your concerns with recycling in Snowden. Dawn’s letter touches on the frequency of pickup, design of bins, wildlife issues, and other topics.
Recommended Ways to Monitor Wildfire Status: Facebook Group for monitoring the latest wildfire info: Columbia Gorge Wildland and Fire Information Page. Free iPhone and Android app for monitoring latest wildfire info: Watch Duty. Website for monitoring wildfire activity: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/.
The June 2025 Underwood Conservation District newsletter is now available.
Congratulations to the Snowden Wildfire Prevention Committee (SWPC) for installing 7 new burn ban signs at the access points to Snowden! The signs were funded by a grant from the WA Department of Natural Resources. This grant also paid for a Possible Evacuation Routes and Emergency Preparedness brochure to be delivered to the mailboxes of Snowden residents. If you don’t have a mailbox in Snowden or would like additional copies, brochures will be available at all Snowden Community Council meetings (first Wednesday of the month), or you can contact snowdencouncil@gmail.com to arrange to get a copy/copies.
In preparation for the 2025 wildfire season, consider completing the Wildfire Ready Neighbors! survey at the WA Department of Natural Resources (DNR) website. You will receive an In-Person Visit By a Wildfire Expert, who will help you create a Wildfire Ready Plan just for you that works for your property, budget, and lifestyle. They can also provide information about groups that can help you make the recommended changes.
There’s a cost-sharing program available through the WA DNR that provides financial assistance for individual forestland owners to complete wildfire resilience and forest health projects.
Underwood Conservation District (UCD) also offers free, in-person Wildfire Resilience Assessments. See the UCD Wildfire Resilience Program page.
Adopting a Critical Areas Ordinance (CAO) is a WA State requirement for all cities and counties, under the Growth Management Act. Its purpose is to establish local regulations to protect critical areas, which are defined as “critical aquifer recharge areas, fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas, frequently flooded areas, geological hazardous areas, and wetlands.” A proposed revision to the CAO for Klickitat County is being considered.
The CAO seems to be “on hold” while under appeal from the Yakama Tribe. The Land Use Committee will keep watch for any activity.
Volunteer Firefighters Needed! The West Klickitat Regional Fire Authority is working to improve our wildfire preparedness, fight fires as they occur, and improve our fire rating (Public Protection Classification), so that we won’t have our homeowner’s insurance canceled. The greatest need is for additional volunteer firefighters, especially at the Mountain Brook station (at 959 Snowden Rd.).
Fire Chief Wes Long says “My idea is to recruit and create a force of people up there who may not be necessarily completely qualified [to be firefighters] but are fully capable of working in a DEFENSIVE mode only for structure fires while forces are coming from town to slow fire progression down.” If you are interested in becoming part of the team, at Mountain Brook or elsewhere in the West Klickitat area, call 509-493-2996.
Check out the new Emergency Preparedness page!
Information about upcoming community events can be found on the GorgeCurrent Events Calendar and also on the Mt. Adams Chamber of Commerce Events Calendar.
Gorge MakerSpace offers classes for youth and adults in wood working and woodturning, laser cutting, 3D printing, blacksmithing, art, sewing, embroidery, painting on fabric, DIY & home repair, and robotics. For more info and to sign up see: Gorge MakerSpace.
