News Briefs

Toxic algae advisories lifted at Camas lakes
Clark County Public Health lifted its toxic algae advisories at Lacamas and Round lakes in Camas this week, but said an advisory remains at Vancouver Lake.
Public health officials said Tuesday that the blooms of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, identified last week at the Camas lakes, dissipated over the weekend and are no longer present at either lake.
The caution and warning signs posted at the lakes are being removed. However, officials warn that algae blooms may return as conditions change. Public Health encourages people swimming and recreating in the lakes to watch for floating blue-green-colored scum and avoid direct contact with water in those areas. The public can report algae blooms online at clark.wa.gov/public-health/report-health-concern.
While conditions improved in Camas, the warning remains in place at Vancouver Lake. Blue-green algae blooms are still present at the Burnt Bridge Creek inlet and at the flushing channel near the swim beach. Last week, test results revealed elevated levels of cyanotoxins in the water at Vancouver Lake. Health officials say cyanotoxins can be harmful to people, especially young children, and deadly for small pets that drink the water.
Public Health is advising people to avoid direct contact with all water in Vancouver Lake and recommend no swimming, water skiing, paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing; not drinking lake water; keeping animals away from the water entirely; cleaning fish well and discarding organs; and avoiding areas of scum when using motorized boats.
Public Health staff collected water samples from Vancouver Lake on Monday to determine if toxins are still in the water. Public Health may downgrade the advisory at the lake from warning to caution if toxins are no longer present. As long as algae are present, toxin levels could increase as conditions at the lake change. Public Health has been monitoring cyanobacteria blooms at Vancouver Lake since June 12, and will continue to monitor the lake and take weekly water samples to test toxin levels as long as the blooms are present. Additional information about blue-green algae and current advisories are posted online at clark.wa.gov/public-health/public-beaches.

July 4 ramp closures on Highway 14, I-5
Travelers wishing to view the fireworks display at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site or other nearby destinations are encouraged to take an alternate route to avoid ramp closures on Interstate 5 (I-5) and state Route 14 (Highway 14) on Thursday, July 4.
In coordination with the city of Vancouver and the Washington State Patrol, the Washington State Department of Transportation will close the ramps to relieve congestion near Fort Vancouver and provide safe access to the site for pedestrians.
The northbound I-5 off-ramp to Mill Plain Boulevard will close from 6 p.m. to midnight, July 4. The eastbound and westbound Highway 14 off-ramps to Southeast Columbia House Boulevard will close from 9 p.m. until the end of the fireworks display on July 4.
Stopping, standing or parking on or along the shoulder on all state roads and highways is prohibited except when necessary and in compliance with the law.