Lebanon Fire District responded to two simultaneous multi-alarm fires Sunday, May 16, requiring assistance from many of the mid-valley’s other fire agencies. LFD experienced concurrent multi-alarm fires, stretching its resources extremely thin, according to a statement from the district.
A structure fire on Sodaville Cut-Off Drive and a structure fire on Burdell Boulevard came in within minutes of one another splitting the district’s resources, and making for a very challenging response to both incidents.
Fire apparatus were sent from Sweet Home, Albany, Brownville, and Tangent. Additional units were moved up to cover Lebanon’s district for further calls for service, while Lebanon’s apparatus and personnel were tied up on responses. Additional calls were also going on at the time including a cardiac arrest call, and multiple medical calls.
The first fire came in at 1:54 p.m., while the second fire was dispatched at 2:10 p.m. Both fires were determined to be working fires upon arrival by the incident commanders.
The fire on Sodaville Cut-off was a single-family home that had fire extending into the structure from an out of control fire that was started to eliminate weeds using a weed burner. The fire climbed up the structure and found a way into the substructure of the roof, working its way to the peak of the structure.
Due to the construction and design of the house there were multiple void spaces that made it difficult for firefighters to find the seat of the fire.
Over 25 personnel and a large number of structural fire units responded to the Sodaville Cut-Off incident.
The fire on Burdell was extinguished without incident. A large transient population in the area has caused issues with this building and surrounding buildings in the past, the LFD said in a statement.
Over 15 personnel and multiple wildland and structural apparatus responded to the Burdell fire. There were no injuries on either incident.
LFD would like to remind everyon
Sodaville Cutoff Fire
e to be extra cautious when using open flame around structures. As the weather gets hotter and drier this summer, it will be increasingly important to maintain a defensible space around homes and buildings as the threat of wildfire increases.