PENDLETON â As a record-breaking drought and heat wave scorches Eastern Oregon, Umatilla County and the city of Pendleton banned fireworks as residents prepare to celebrate the Fourth of July.
The county board of commissioners made its call during an administrative meeting Wednesday morning, June 30, and the Pendleton City Council voted for its ban in a special meeting in the afternoon. Both bans come with the threat of $500 fines for violations.
The cityâs resolution aligns with an executive order from the governor declaring a drought emergency in Umatilla County, meaning fireworks will be banned through Dec. 31 unless lifted earlier.
The countyâs ban will last through Sept. 30, âor sooner if conditions change,â and applies to all unincorporated areas in the county and is effective immediately, Commissioner George Murdock said. The ban is to prevent wildfires in vulnerable areas where âthe tiniest spark could result in a conflagration,â he added
National Weather Services predicts temps in 100s late into next week
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Experts offer advice on beating the heat next week
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PENDLETON â A growing consensus among local officials that mental health services in the Umatilla County are in need of change sparked a recent meeting with Sen. Ron Wyden.
âAs you listened to the speakers, you heard in their voices this tremendous compassion and desire to mobilize a fresh strategy,â Wyden said. âAnd the big challenge is there havenât been the dollars.â
The group that met with Wyden at the Umatilla County Courthouse Saturday, May 29, in Pendleton included county, city, law enforcement, education, mental health and tribal officials. They discussed student counseling, establishing a team of professionals to support law enforcementâs response to mental health-related calls, helping American Indian and Hispanic residents, finding housing for those experiencing homelessness and the countyâs meager supply of mental health and addiction treatment facilities.