Campfire ban and other fire prevention measures are still in effect statewide

PORTLAND, Ore. — As fire risk remains high and the holiday weekend approaches, the public is urged to prevent human-caused wildfires. Recent high temperatures and continued dry conditions increase the potential for fire starts and rapid spread.

“Roughly 85% of wildfires nationwide are caused by human activities,” said Fire Prevention Specialist Adam Johnson, “Those visiting public lands must remain extremely attentive throughout fire season. The widespread heat and prolonged severe drought can cause wildfires to grow very quickly.”

Do your part to protect your communities and public lands by respecting restrictions and closures. The use of fireworks, exploding targets or metallic targets, steel component ammunition (core or jacket), tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns are prohibited.

Additional activities impacted by local restrictions may include:

• The use of campfires, charcoal grills, and stove fires
• Smoking in timber, brush, or grass areas
• Driving off-road except for in specific OHV use areas
• Chainsaw use or any operation generating sparks (except by permit)
• Use of combustion engines without a functional spark arrestor

Research local restrictions prior to departure to ensure proper planning. View the OR/WA BLM Administrative Offices map for specific locations. Visit Oregon/Washington Fire Closures & Restrictions for the full orders and additional information. Other federal, state, and local government agencies may have their own restrictions and closures for the lands under their management.

Those who violate the prohibition may be fined up to $100,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 12 months. In addition, those found responsible for starting wildland fires on federal lands can be billed for the cost of fire suppression and resource damages.

-BLM-

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Spokane, Washington – On August 29, 2025, United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Jaskaran Singh, 31, of Punjab, India, to more than 17 years in federal prison for possessing with intent to distribute almost $8 million worth of the drug MDMA, commonly known as “Molly.”  Singh was in the United States after successfully seeking asylum, and faces removal from the United States after completing his prison term.

Earlier this year, a federal jury unanimously found Singh guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.  The evidence presented at trial showed that on April 29, 2023, at approximately 10:00 p.m., three individuals tripped motion sensor cameras in a remote area just south of the U.S.-Canada border, a half-mile away from the port of entry at Danville, Washington.  United States Border Patrol officials saw that these individuals, who had illegally crossed into the United States from Canada, were carrying backpacks and a suitcase.  From the American side of the border, the only route in or out of this area is a dead-end, dirt road called Fourth of July Creek Road.

Minutes later, Border Patrol officers saw a 2014 Honda Odyssey traveling on Fourth of July Creek Road.  Agents responded to the area and stopped Singh, who was driving the rented Honda Odyssey away from the border and further into the United States.

Border Patrol agents saw in the rear cargo area of the Honda Odyssey the same backpacks and suitcases that the three individuals – who tripped the motion sensor cameras just a few minutes earlier – had been carrying.  Agents lawfully searched the van and seized 173.7 pounds of MDMA, which was packaged and stored inside the backpacks and suitcase.  On Singh’s cellular phone, investigators found a map of the area, along with messages on the encrypted phone application Signal detailing where Singh should go, when he should arrive, and directing him to “leave the back hood open.”  Singh had deleted the Signal app from his phone immediately before he was arrested, but federal forensic investigators using cutting-edge technology were able to locate, retrieve, and preserve the messages so the jury could see them.

Jurors learned during trial that the three individuals who carried the MDMA across the border into the United States had to traverse approximately 300 yards of remote, rugged wilderness to meet Singh to deliver the drugs.  They then returned to the Canadian side of the border, escaping apprehension by American law enforcement.  Singh, for his part, bought a plane ticket in Northern California the day before the drug deal, flew to Seattle, and then rented the Honda Odyssey to drive to the remote area where he picked up the MDMA to further distribute it into the United States.

United States Attorney Pete Serrano noted the collaborative approach that brought Singh to justice: “This case is significant in so many respects, from the removal of this significant quantity of drugs from our streets, to the seamless cooperation of our federal partners at the northern border.  I’m proud of our team and am grateful for the outcome of this case.”

“The DEA, along with our partners at the Border Patrol and HSI, take the territorial integrity of the United States very seriously,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Seattle Field Division. “We aggressively investigate traffickers like Mr. Singh who, out of greed, smuggle dangerous drugs into the United States from Canada or anywhere else.  This lengthy sentence holds Mr. Singh accountable and stands as a warning to others that we will not tolerate drug traffickers abusing our free society.”

Jason C. Liebe, the Chief Patrol Agent for the Border Patrol Spokane Sector, concurred: “U.S. Border Patrol agents work tirelessly every day to protect America and her borders from national security threats, no matter how they present themselves.  This joint investigation and successful prosecution demonstrate the power of collaboration among federal agencies.  When we combine our resources, we achieve the successful resolution of criminal cases that make our communities safer and stronger for all Americans.”

This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations.  It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alison L. Gregoire and Dan Fruchter.

2:23-CR-00052-TOR

Clarkston, WA – Clarkston School District is pleased to announce that all enrolled students in grades TK–12 will receive both breakfast and lunch at no charge during the 2025–2026 school year. Meals will be served every school day as part of the federally supported school meal programs.

While meals are provided at no charge for all students, families are encouraged to complete the Child Nutrition Eligibility & Education Benefit Application. Submitting this form is very important; it may qualify your household for:

• Summer EBT food benefits

• Reduced fees for school programs and activities

• Additional funding to support Clarkston schools

Applications are confidential, and only one application is needed per household. Families may qualify based on income, participation in assistance programs such as Basic Food or TANF, or foster child status.

The full 2025–2026 Letter to Households is available on our website and attached to this release. This document includes income eligibility guidelines, instructions for completing applications, and information on other benefits.

For questions about completing the application or eligibility, please contact the Clarkston School District Food Services Department at 509-769-6346.

Clarkston School District is committed to ensuring every student has access to healthy meals and the resources they need to succeed.

###

Yakima, Washington – United States Attorney S. Peter Serrano announced that Jason Alexander Logie, age 36, of Wapato, Washington, was convicted of Second Degree Murder following a jury trial in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Trial commenced on August 18, 2025 before Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian and the jury returned its verdict on August 20, 2025.  A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for November 18, 2025. 

According to court documents and information presented at trial, while driving under the influence of alcohol, Logie crossed the center line on North Track Road within the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation on the afternoon of September 9, 2023, striking an on-coming vehicle in its own lane of travel. The driver of the vehicle died as a result of the collision.

United States Attorney Pete Serrano stated, “One of my top priorities as U.S. Attorney will be to strengthen our relationship with state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. Partnering with these agencies strengthens our prosecution of cases like this, where a repeat offender will be held accountable for his careless actions that costs an innocent victim their life. I’d like to offer my thanks to our partner agencies on this case.”

This case was investigated and presented for prosecution by the Yakama Nation Police Department and the investigation was assisted by the Yakima County Sheriff’s Department and the Washington State Patrol. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael D. Murphy and Courtney R. Pratten.

 1:24-cr-02059-SAB  

Yakima, Washington – United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that Kevin Lee Towner, age 61, of Selah, Washington, was sentenced to 60 months (5 years) in prison to be followed by 10 years of supervised release by United States District Judge Rebecca L. Pennell on August 21, 2025. Towner pled guilty to the charge of Possession of Child Pornography on April 10, 2025. 

According to court documents, after a search warrant was executed on October 6, 2020, at Towner’s residence he was found to have electronic storage media containing images of children engaging in sexually explicit conduct. He admitted to using peer-to-peer file sharing to obtain images of child pornography. Towner was found to possess over 3,000 images of child pornography.  In addition to 60 months of imprisonment and ten years of supervised release, Judge Pennell imposed $45,000 in restitution to victims depicted in the child pornography files Towner possessed. Judge Pennell also required Towner to pay $17,000 pursuant to the Amy, Vicky, and Andy Child Pornography Victim Assistance Act of 2018 (“AVAA”).  Special penalty assessments imposed pursuant to that Act go to a fund from which child pornography victims can draw a one-time payment depending on the amount of restitution they have already received. In addition, Judge Pennell imposed a special penalty assessment of $5,000 pursuant to the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, which imposes an assessment on any non-indigent person or entity convicted of an offense involving: (1) peonage, slavery, and trafficking in persons; (2) sexual abuse; (3) sexual exploitation and other abuse of children; (4) transportation for illegal sexual activity; or (5) human smuggling in violation of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The money assessed shall be directed into a fund and used to support the Internet Crimes Against Children task forces as well as programs providing services to victims of human trafficking and child abuse.

“This sentence sends a powerful reminder to Mr. Towner and others like him: Crimes that exploit children cannot, and will not be tolerated,” stated U.S. Attorney Serrano. “Thanks to the dedicated work of the FBI and prosecutors from my office, we were able to hold Mr. Towner accountable and protect the most vulnerable among us.”

W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Seattle field office stated, “Child sexual abuse material is extremely damaging to young people, especially because it is often repeatedly shared and can be nearly impossible to remove from the Internet. Mr. Towner was found to possess not just some but thousands of these graphic images, including of very young children, and he will now face the consequences of that conduct. The FBI is committed to protecting child victims by holding these kinds of predators accountable and showing them they cannot hide their illegal online activity.”

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit https://www.justice.gov/psc.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael D. Murphy.

 1:24-cr-02059-SAB  

Seattle – Over the last three weeks, federal, state, and local law enforcement have been working to dismantle a cartel-connected drug trafficking ring distributing fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, and heroin throughout western Washington.

What: Press briefing on takedown of Sinaloa- affiliated drug trafficking ring

When: Monday, August 25, 2025, 11:00 AM PT

Broadcast media, please plan to arrive by about 10:30 AM PT to clear security and set up.

Where: Drug Enforcement Administration Seattle Field Division, 300 5^th Avenue, Suite 1300, Seattle, WA 98104

Who:

• David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division
• Teal Luthy Miller, Acting United States Attorney, Western District of Washington
• Colin W. Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations

There will not be a call-in line. Reporters may livestream the event if desired.