“I take very great pleasure in dedicating this Lodge, not only as a new adjunct of our National Forests, but also as a place to play for generations of Americans in the days to come.” —President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicating Timberline Lodge, September 28th, 1937
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BY May
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May 2024
Vol. XXXII, No. 5 | A Free, Independent Newspaper | www.mountaintimesoregon.com SERVING THE COMMUNITIES OF MOUNT HOOD
Welches, Brightwood, Wemme, Wildwood, Zigzag, Rhododendron, Government Camp, Sandy and Boring
Candidates Forum Well Attended
HEROIC EFFORT SAVES HISTORIC TIMBERLINE LODGE
Michelle M. Winner The Mountain Times
Mountain residents packed the house at the Mt. Hood Oregon Resort in Welches for the April 6th Hoodland Nonpartisan Candidate Forum, the first event in the run-up to the Clackamas County races in the May 21 Primary Election. One-hundred percent of the thirteen incumbents and challengers for Clackamas County Commissioner Positions 1 (chair), 3, 4, and Sheriff of Clackamas County were in attendance. You can access the list of candidates at https://www.clackamas.us/elections/ may-21-2024-primary-election. In the unincorporated Mt Hood area of Clackamas County, the Commission is the governing body, and the Clackamas County Sheriff is the law enforcement entity. With a mix of tourists, recreational users, full-time residents, and businesses that cater to them, these communities have unique needs and concerns. While many in the community perceive tourism and recreation to take precedence over residents’ rights, locals can feel ignored by the Commissioners and underserved by the Sheriff’s office. Doug Saldivar, Mount Hood Livability Coalition (MHLC) and Hoodland Community Planning Organization (HCPO) board member thought an See FORUM Page 36 INDEX Mountain Profile�������������������������������������������� 2 Fire Focus ��������������������������������������������������������� 6 Opinion..........................................................8–9 Museum Chatter �����������������������������������������16 The Woodsman ��������������������������������������������17 Health..................................................... 26—27 Crossword/Sudoku�������������������������������������30 The Viewfinder ��������������������������������������������31 Classified Ads ������������������������������������������������34
Firefighters responding to Timberline Lodge fire overnight, April 18, 2024. Photo credit USDA.
By Ty Walker & Amber Ford
The Mountain Times
A fire was reported at 9:30 p.m. April 18 at the historic Timberline Lodge on Mount Hood. Hoodland Fire District first responders were dispatched to the scene, where flames were visible shooting through the attic and roof into the
night sky. All Timberline Lodge hotel guests and employees were immediately evacuated. No injuries were reported. The fire quickly escalated to a three alarm as fire crews from Clackamas and Multnomah County joined the effort. The blaze was declared under control by 11 p.m., just less than two hours from the
first call. Firefighters continued to work on the scene through the night protecting historical artifacts, artwork and furniture. The last crews left the scene at about 2:30 the next morning, declaring the fire out. In total, 10 fire engines, three ladder trucks, five water trucks (tenders), four Chief Officers, and four additional pieces of equipment responded to the fire. Fire crews from Hoodland, Clackamas, Gresham, Estacada and Portland fire districts worked on scene. Investigators suspect the fire was caused by fireplace embers igniting the roof of the headhouse, which is the central part of the lodge. But the investigation, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) and U.S. Forest Service Law Enforcement, to determine the cause. The lodge and ski area were closed the day after the fire, April 19. Timberline reopened the slopes to skiers April 20 and to hotel guests April 21. The Hoodland Fire District thanked the employees of Timberline Lodge for detecting the fire early on, evacuating See LODGE Page 5
Sandy Third Grader Places 2nd in Idaho Snowskate Competition By Ty Walker The Mountain Times
It’s not skiing. It’s not snowboarding. It’s snowskating. It’s a cross between skateboarding and snowboarding. It might best be described as skateboarding on snow. All Sharlet Herrin knows is that it’s a whole lot of fun speeding down the mountain on her 39-inch custom made bi-deck snowskate, which looks like a skateboard
with a small ski attached in place of wheels. The eight-year-old Sandy Grade School third-grader from Rhododendron goes snowskating on Mount Hood at Timberline Lodge whenever dad can take her, which is about once a week. She’s been doing it most of her young life, her father Stuart Herrin said. “I used to carry her in my arms then a friend from Canada told me to See SNOWSKATER Page 15