Lebanon Fire Responds To Second Fire In Three Days Along South Santiam River (Photo) (Photo) - 07/15/26

At approximately 7:25 pm, on July 14^th, 2026, Lebanon Fire District was dispatched to the second fire in three days in the area of Brewster Road and E. Grant Street. The fire was initially dispatched as a smoke investigation and elevated to a first alarm fire once the Battalion Chief arrived.

Smoke was found in the area, but the location of the fire was unknown. Crews set off on foot and a drone was utilized to locate the fire. GPS coordinates from the drone were given to crews to guide them to the location.

Once firefighters arrived, they reported a 1.4 acre slow moving flame front one quarter mile from the road, and 600 feet from the closest water source. Firefighters attacked the fire with hand tools since fire vehicles were unable to access the fire due to the terrain and heavy brush. A portable pump and approximately 1600 feet of hose were carried in to extinguish hot spots and create a wet line perimeter.

Fire crews contacted the City of Lebanon to assist, who provided a bulldozer to create a containment line around the perimeter of the fire. At approximately 11:00 pm, the Incident Commander determined it was unsafe to continue mop-up due to limited visibility and falling trees. A brush company was assigned overnight to ensure containment lines held.

At 8:00 am on July 15^th, 2026, a task force of firefighters deployed back to the fire for continued mop-up and to pick up equipment. Mop-up is expected to be completed this afternoon.

No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

While Lebanon Fire District was fighting the fire, two other calls occurred. Firefighters were reassigned from the fire to respond in an ambulance.

Ten fire apparatus with 21 firefighters responded to the fire, along with four command staff and a bulldozer. Events like this require significant manpower to stop the fire spread.

Lebanon Fire District would like to thank the City of Lebanon, the Linn County Sheriff's Office, and the Albany Fire Department for their assistance during the incident.

Wildland fire risk is highest this time of year. Open flame in wildland areas can cause fires to quickly spread in these weather conditions. We urge the community to prepare for these events by ensuring you have a proper evacuation plan in place, adequate defensible space, and your home is properly hardened. Visit www.wildfirereadylinnco.org to request a free defensible space assessment of your home and property.

Lebanon Fire District Responds To 1.2-Acre Brush Fire Along South Santiam River (Photo) - 07/12/26

July 12, 2026 – At approximately 5:04 p.m. today, Lebanon Fire District firefighters were dispatched to the area of Brewster Road and E. Grant Street for a reported brush fire.

The first-arriving Battalion Chief found smoke coming from trees approximately 75 feet in from the river. A drone was immediately deployed to provide an aerial view of the fire, allowing crews to quickly assess its size and develop an effective attack plan.

As conditions indicated the fire had the potential to grow, the incident was upgraded to a First Alarm, bringing in two off-duty firefighters and six volunteer firefighters to assist with suppression efforts. 

The fire ultimately burned approximately 1.2 acres. Firefighters remained on scene for more than two and a half hours extinguishing hot spots and completing extensive mop-up operations to ensure the fire would not rekindle.

Crews utilized a portable water pump to draft water directly from the river, providing a continuous water supply in the remote area. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) responded with a dozer and constructed a containment line around the fire to help prevent further spread.

One firefighter was stung by a bee. No other injuries were reported.

While crews were actively fighting the fire, both Lebanon Fire District medic units had to be reassigned to respond to three separate medical emergencies, including a cardiac arrest. During that time, the district was assisted by the Albany Fire Department, which provided engine coverage to ensure emergency response capabilities remained available throughout the community.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

Lebanon Fire District would like to thank the Oregon Department of Forestry, the Linn County Sheriff's Office, and the Albany Fire Department for their assistance during today's incident.

With the current hot, dry, and windy weather conditions, Lebanon Fire District reminds everyone to use extreme caution with any activity that could spark a fire. Even a small spark from equipment, vehicles, discarded smoking materials, or recreational activities can quickly become a fast-moving wildfire. Help protect our community by following burn restrictions, avoiding activities that create sparks in dry vegetation, and reporting any signs of smoke or fire immediately by calling 911.

Multiple Alarm Fires Keep Lebanon Fire District Crews Busy (Photo) - 06/25/26

Over the past 24 hours, Lebanon Fire District crews responded to three significant fire incidents, demonstrating the dedication of our firefighters and the strength of our regional partnerships.

The first fire was dispatched as a first-alarm incident and was quickly contained and extinguished by two responding Lebanon Fire District units, preventing further spread and damage.

The second fire presented a greater challenge. Due to the large column of smoke visible while responding, the incident was upgraded to a second alarm before the first unit arrived on scene. Lebanon Fire District received mutual aid assistance from Brownsville Fire, Halsey/Shedd Fire, and Tangent Fire. Local farmers also played a critical role in supporting firefighting operations by providing water trucks and ripper discs to help establish containment lines and limit fire spread.

Later in the shift, crews were dispatched to a third fire. Similar to the previous incident, the fire was upgraded to a second alarm before the Incident Commander arrived on scene due to observed fire conditions. Upon arrival and size-up, the Incident Commander immediately upgraded the incident to a third alarm. Lebanon Fire District was joined by Albany Fire, Brownsville Fire, Halsey/Shedd Fire, Tangent Fire, Scio Fire, and Sweet Home Fire. Once again, local farmers stepped up to assist with water trucks and ripper discs, providing invaluable support to firefighters working to contain the fire.

Combined, the three fires burned approximately 54 acres over the course of the 24-hour operational period.

Lebanon Fire District would like to thank all assisting agencies and our local agricultural community for their outstanding support during these incidents. Their quick response, teamwork, and commitment to protecting our communities were instrumental in the successful management of these fires.

This 24-hour period serves as a reminder that effective emergency response is a team effort. We are grateful for the strong partnerships that help keep our communities safe

Lebanon Fire District Releases 2025 Annual Report (Photo) - 06/22/26

The Lebanon Fire District has released its 2025 Annual Report, providing an overview of district operations, emergency response activity, financial conditions, community risk reduction efforts, and key accomplishments from the past year.

Serving more than 35,000 residents across 134 square miles of fire protection and 416 square miles of ambulance service, the district responded to 7,181 emergency incidents in 2025, reflecting continued growth in demand for fire and emergency medical services.

“The 2025 Annual Report tells the story of a district working hard to meet the growing needs of our community,” said Fire Chief John Tacy. “Behind every statistic is a firefighter, paramedic, volunteer, or staff member dedicated to serving others. This report reflects their commitment and provides a transparent look at the challenges and opportunities shaping the future of emergency services in Lebanon.”

Community members can view the complete 2025 Annual Report at https://lebanonfireoregon.gov/386/Annual-Report.

For questions or additional information, please email info@lebanonfireoregon.gov or call 541-451-1901.