News Bites for June 1

QUINCY — Saturday’s sudden rainstorm triggered a flash flood at Adams Road and Road 13 Northwest, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. Mud, rocks and debris were scattered across the roads, the GSCO wrote. Grant County Road District 3 responded to the area and cleaned the road up, and the GCSO statement did not indicate any injuries or property damage.

Here’s what else happened over the weekend in the Columbia Basin:

Burn ban begins in Grant County

EPHRATA — Grant county’s annual burn ban will begin tomorrow, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office.

While the burn is in effect, yard waste may not be burned, according to Grant County Ordinance 6.10.070. Burning trash, even in burn barrels, is illegal year-round.

Recreational fires are permitted in private fire pits provided the pits are more than 25 feet away from structures or combustible materials. The fire must be attended at all times and a water line must be immediately available. Campfires are allowed in approved devices at public campgrounds when allowed by campground authorities.

Gas and charcoal barbecues are allowed to be used as long as they’re operated in a safe manner, kept away from flammable materials, including vegetation, and attended at all times.

Agricultural burning is permitted with a permit from the Washington Department of Ecology.

The ban is in effect until Sept. 30, according to the statement, but the county ordinance allows the Grant County Board of Commissioners to extend the ban if conditions warrant it.

These restrictions apply only in unincorporated areas of the county, the GCSO statement said. Cities and towns may have their own restrictions.

Keeping safe at the Gorge

GEORGE — With the beginning of the Gorge concert season, the Grant county Sheriff’s Office has issued a reminder to keep safe at the Basin’s largest concert venue. According to the reminder, concert goers should:

• Go in a group and within that group pair up to keep an eye on each other’s well-being.

• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, not waiting until they feel sick or thirsty.

• Watch out for the safety of other people in the crowd, even people outside the group.

• Prepare an exit strategy and have a plan for what to do if there is an emergency.

• Watch out for people looking for “vulnerable” men or women at concerts. Those people should be brought to security’s attention.

• Not take drinks or drugs from strangers. Better yet, don’t do drugs at all.

• Lock valuables securely in vehicles and not leave things visible through tent windows at the campground.

• Feeling sick or do you see someone who is? Contact security, EMTs, or go to the medical tent.

Anyone who sees something or someone suspicious should call 911 or contact security or sheriff’s deputies. The Sheriff’s Office is inside the campground next to the main entrance.

People can sign up for Gorge Emergency Alerts by texting GORGE23 to 888777.

Memorial Day weekend by the numbers

GRANT COUNTY — The Moses Lake Sand Dunes played host to about 5,000 people over Memorial Day weekend, according to a statement from the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, with between 150 and 200 boats out on the south end of Moses Lake.

The GCSO fielded 199 calls for service over the holiday weekend, according to the statement, and made 188 traffic stops. Two hundred two citations were issued and four people were arrested.

There were three collisions in the Sand Dunes requiring transport by ambulance, the statement added, but those involved no serious or life-threatening injuries.