Cause of Hermiston brush fire under investigation

HERMISTON — Local fire crews along with area farmers put out several brush fires May 20 near Marks Road in Hermiston.

Just before noon, Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 was dispatched to a brush fire on Marks Road. Upon arrival, crews found several brush fires along the south side of the railroad tracks.

Firefighters utilized access roads in their brush trucks to stop the fire from spreading north.

The Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District and Echo Fire Department assisted, and local farmers helped by “disking.”

Disking is when farmers use a tractor attachment to till the grass, creating a gap between the advancing flames and the rest of the field. This gives firefighters a chance to get ahead of the blaze.

The fire burned an estimated 75 acres, according to UCFD No. 1. Crews stayed on the scene throughout the night to monitor hot spots. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Wildbill trying again to run in Senate District 29 race

PENDLETON — Tania Wildbill, of Pendleton, has announced she is trying for another run in the Senate District 29 race.

Wildbill in a statement Wednesday, May 22, said she is holding a convention to gather support from 250 registered voters of any political party to get on the November ballot as a nonaffiliated candidate.

The convention is July 27, starting at 1 p.m., at the Pendleton Convention Center, 1601 Westgate.

“The Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division staff will be at my convention to certify the 250 required registered voters count needed to get me on the ballot,” according to Wildbill.

Wildbill in 2023 declared she was running as a Democrat in the race then later withdrew, refiled as a nonaffiliated candidate and withdrew again.

— Northeast Oregon Now and Hermiston Herald