🔥 Progress on Oregon’s wildfires

Progress on Firefighting

The wildfire in the Mt. Hood area is finally mostly contained. The Grasshopper fire started with a lightning strike last month and has grown to nearly 100,000 acres, spreading east into Wasco County and destroying half a dozen homes. Firefighters were able to hold the line at Highway 35, saving Mt. Hood’s alpine forests — as well as our beloved ski destinations. [City Cast Portland 🎧 / OPB]

• Advice for outdoors and camping: Norther Emily of Wild Solitude Guiding offered some tips on today’s podcast — for anyone looking to go camping and hiking for the rest of wildfire season. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
  • Don’t use an open flame; campfire bans are in effect, including in campgrounds. There’s also a burn ban in Multnomah County. [U.S. Fire Service / Multnomah County]
  • Stay out of areas where you might be caught off guard by fire, particularly where there’s only one way out and one way in, Emily says. Maybe it’s a good time to camp at the coast. [City Cast Portland 🎧]
  • Avoid inhaling wildfire smoke; check the air quality for anywhere you’re going and generally stay west of the fires. [AQINow / City Cast Portland 🎧]

• Progress on megafires: The largest fire in state history — the Big Grass fire — is nearly 85% contained. Similarly, the Rowe Creek complex, which burned through the Painted Hills, is also around 90% contained. [Oregonian / KGW]

Declining Number of Women in the Workforce

The number of women in the Oregon workforce declined slightly over the last year, reversing a nationwide trend of growth in recent years — and in line with national data. By comparison, the number of men in the workforce rose. Economists and other experts believe policies that don’t support mothers are to blame — including the rising childcare costs, new return-to-office mandates, and Trump administration cuts of social safety net programs that help new mothers and support childcare. [Oregon Capital Chronicle]

Latino Businesses Struggle As Immigration Arrests Continue

The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown is less visible than last year, but arrests are continuing to impact Oregon’s Latino community. Businesses that cater to Latino customers are struggling as immigrant communities avoid unnecessary trips out. [Oregonian]

Explaining Electricians' $400k Donation to Kotek

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 48 made its largest donation ever earlier this summer when it gave $400,000 to Gov. Tina Kotek’s reelection campaign. The union also continues to support the politically unpopular data centers. That’s because they want to provide work for their members — as many electricians are moving to Idaho for a big project there. [Willamette Week]

Each week, we feature favorite local spots and organizations picked by City Cast Portland Neighbors. It’s a member benefit, but it’s also a great way to get to know our city:

• “Shout out to Brewer's Bread, on Northwest Vaughn. Outstanding baked goods and their ‘breads of the day' are amazing. The fougasse (French version of focaccia) is phenomenal. And the owners/staff are great folks. Love having them in my 'hood!” — Cormac B.
• “Rhinestone. Good people. Good food. Good drinks.” — Tori C.
• “Mt. Hood Theater in downtown Gresham — refurbished old-school cinema showing new action-adventure and family-friendly movies in a cozy atmosphere. Offers all the traditional movie refreshments. Staff is super friendly. My favorite theater!” — Rhee H.

Become a City Cast Portland Neighbor today to share your own shoutout in this newsletter and on the podcast!