Snowden Community
Burdoin Fire update from Watch Duty app: Size: 10,675 acres; Status: ACTIVE; Containment: 90%
See Watch Duty website (https://apps.watchduty.org) for reliable live updates on the fire. iPhone and Android apps available.
Interactive Evacuation Map (https://sartopo.com/m/0NL3FK3)
Level 1 – Get Ready – Evacuation Advisory
Evacuation levels have been decreased: As of 31 July, Snowden residents previously at Level 2 (Get Set) are now at Level 1 (Get Ready), and restrictions have been removed from residents previously at Level 1.
The American Red Cross Evacuation Shelter is located at Grace Baptist Church (1280 W. Jewett Blvd., White Salmon). Pets are welcome in kennels (some small and medium kennels available). For livestock accommodations call: 509-773-0579.
On Saturday, 2 August the American Red Cross will be distributing free clean-up supplies at Grace Baptist Church (shovels, rakes, water, tarps, work gloves, clean up kits, etc.)
Burdoin Fire-specific information from KC Department of Emergency Management. The 7/29/2025 Media Release has the latest fire statistics, information about making financial donations to fire victims, and how to volunteer, as well as current evacuations and road closures.
KC Health Department Environmental Health Recovery Survey
Notice of proposed revision to the SCC Bylaws concerning approval for and payment of expenditures. This change will be voted on at the October 1 SCC meeting.
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:
Recommended Ways to Monitor Wildfire Status: Sign up to receive Klickitat County Alerts via phone, text or email, or all three, from Smart911. Facebook Groups for monitoring the latest wildfire info: Columbia Gorge Wildland and Fire Information Page, and Klickitat County Facebook Page. Free iPhone or Android app, and website, for monitoring latest wildfire info: Watch Duty. Another website for monitoring wildfire activity: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/. The KC Department of Emergency Management web page also includes information about wildfires and other emergency situations.
Join the Snowden Wildfire Prevention Committee
We invite you to consider joining the Snowden Wildfire Prevention Committee. The committee currently meets via Zoom once or twice a month, and is actively seeking public involvement. If you’re interested in participating, please email us at snowdencouncil@gmail.com.
The linked map and brochure (Possible Evacuation Routes and Emergency Preparedness), along with the new burn ban signs, are recent accomplishments of the committee—demonstrating our commitment to community safety and wildfire preparedness.
The Klickitat County Planning Department has begun 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.”
Some of you may have attended a community outreach meeting this spring. While we’re waiting for the Planning Department to roll out the next phase of the Comp Plan update, the Snowden Community Council Land Use Committee will be collecting community input on various topics related to the County. First up: Parks! If you can take a few minutes to respond to this survey, your feedback will be appreciated: SCC Land Use Committee Parks survey.
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 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.
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.
