On Wednesday, June 14, Lebanon Fire District crews were dispatched to a report of vegetation on fire in front of a home in the 600 block of Crowfoot Road. When they arrived, firefighters found approximately 60 feet of arborvitae hedges fully involved in flames. The fire was quickly knocked down, but crews remained on scene for approximately 45 minutes to check for hot spots and make sure no flames rekindled. While the fire did approach within 15 feet of the home, it did not spread from the hedges to any structures before being extinguished.
The Lebanon Fire District said the area is experiencing an unseasonably dry late Spring, and vegetation is already drying out and turning into fuel for fire. For residents with arborvitae or other large vegetation on your property, LFD recommends keeping them watered throughout summer. For resources on defensible space and more information on protecting your home and property from fire, visit https://www.oregon.gov/osp/programs/sfm/pages/oregon-defensible-space-code.aspx.