Lebanon Fire District responded to a five-acre grass fire at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 7 after dispatch received a call for a “burn complaint.”
Lebanon initially responded with one fire apparatus, but after arriving in the area of the fire, the unit on scene had a difficult time finding access to the fire. In response, they called for additional units to help gain access.
BC31 was the second unit on scene and found a grass fire that was roughly five acres in size and moving slowly in a harvested field. The incident was upgraded to a first alarm assignment, drawing in three engines and a water tender to help suppress the fire. The crews were able to quickly knock the fire down and keep it from growing. They spent an additional hour extinguishing the smoldering hot spot throughout the field and fence lines.
LFD reminds the public that burning during this extended closed season could significantly worsen the current fire situation. As a result, the Linn County Fire Defense Board and ODF have enacted stricter regulations to ensure public safety. It is critical for residents to comply with these restrictions to avoid further strain on firefighting resources and help prevent additional fires.
Alternatives to Open Burning
- Recycle paper products
- Dispose of waste at a landfill
- Compost yard debris and kitchen scraps
- Reuse old lumber
- Use a chipper to create mulch or compost
- Organize a neighborhood cleanup day
- Take hazardous materials like oil-based paints, solvents, garden chemicals and car fluids to a hazardous waste collection site. Burning these materials is illegal and dangerous.
The Linn County Fire Defense Board and ODF will review conditions as the Oct. 15 start date approaches. For updates on the outdoor burning season, call the Linn County Burn Line at 541.451.1904, or check the Willamette Valley Open Burning Announcement at https://smkmgt.com/burn.php.