PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Following a dramatic increase in search and rescue missions on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge, a local sheriff has proposed charging a fee to those in need of saving.

Skamania County Sheriff Summer Scheyer said their search and rescue missions have spiked 400% compared to this time last year, putting a drain on their limited resources.

"Ninety-nine point nine percent of them are out-of-county residents. So it's our county residents who are footing this bill," said Sheriff Scheyer, whose jurisdiction includes the massive wilderness of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and a large portion of the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument in Washington.

Scheyer said she only wants to go after people if they have been negligent or reckless, causin

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