Four new volunteers who signed up in 2017 were among the 27 volunteers honored at the annual Clark-Skamania Fire District 7 volunteer recognition dinner held March 17 at Pleasant View Community Church near Cougar. Caps, pins, jackets and certificates were presented to volunteers who have served the district as long as 31 years. District Chief Gary Stuart gave special recognition to Cheryl Cline who retired in July 2017 after serving 31 years as a medical responder. Stuart announced that call volume in 2017 had returned to average levels after a 28 percent spike in 2016. The district covers 54 square miles, 22 miles of state Route 503 and three lakes on the north side of the North Fork of the Lewis River in the general Ariel and Cougar area.