Lebanon Firefighters responded to a brush fire at 1:30 a.m. on Aug. 13 in the 3100 block of Burdell Boulevard. When incident command arrived, he found an approximate half-acre fire burning through blackberries and grass throwing embers towards the only standing building on the old mill site.
Firefighters quickly deployed hose lines and were able to get the fire stopped before it continued to spread through the dried brush and grass. Due to the time of day, firefighters were quickly able to bring the fire under control. Firefighters had the blaze under control in approximately 10 minutes and remained on scene an additional hour to mop up hot spots and lay a wet line around the perimeter. Firefighters will continue to check the area during the day when temperatures heat up to make sure no additional flare ups happen.
Lebanon Fire responded to the fire with 10 personnel on two engines, one ladder truck and one ALS medic unit, along with one rehab unit for firefighters and two chief officers. Lebanon Fire was assisted by Albany Fire Department with an ALS medic unit covering additional calls.
Lebanon Fire District would like to remind everyone that all of Linn County is in a total burn ban. Starting immediately on Aug. 12 the Linn County Fire Defense Board is taking proactive measures to address the heightened risk by implementing a series of fire restrictions.
In alignment with the ODF’s assessment, the Linn County Fire Defense Board has announced restrictions on all open fires, including the prohibition of recreational and cooking fires originating from open fire pits that utilize wood or charcoal. This includes Agricultural burning but does not include the use of gas-fired barbeques or pellet grills.
The decision to enact these restrictions is in direct response to the anticipated heat dome that is expected to prevail over the coming weekend and throughout the week. The Linn County Fire Defense Board will adhere to ODF’s lead and uphold these limitations as long as the extreme fire danger persists. Restricting open fires is a critical component in managing local resources effectively.
Given the heightened fire risk, it is imperative that all individuals exercise extreme caution when dealing with fire-related activities, towing (chains), and recreational pursuits. Pacific Power has also cautioned about potential selective grid shutdowns to preempt transmission line issues, particularly in high-temperature and windy conditions.
The Oregon Department of Forestry and Linn County Fire Defense Board urges the community to stay informed, comply with implemented restrictions, and remain vigilant to mitigate the risk of fire incidents. Stay up to date by visiting the Oregon Department of Forestry’s restrictions and closures.
Community members can also sign up for emergency alerts through the Linn-Benton Alert Notification System.