Firefighters In Lebanon Save Multiple Structures After Residents Evacuated From A Wind-driven Brush Fire (Photo) - 08/08/26

Lebanon, Oregon — August 8, 2026

At approximately 1438 hours on August 8, Lebanon Fire District was dispatched to the 40,000 block of Hilltop Drive for a reported mobile home fire. With the dry weather and high fire danger, there was significant risk that this fire would spread to the nearby vegetation.

Due to the rural location and lack of fire hydrants in the area, Battalion Chief 31 requested two additional water tenders to assist with water supply operations.

Upon arrival, BC31 found a fully involved double-wide mobile home with wind-driven fire rapidly spreading uphill through heavy brush toward another structure approximately 500 feet away.

Lebanon Fire District, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), and mutual-aid fire crews immediately began a direct attack on the fire using engines and brush vehicles. At the same time, additional personnel, including the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, began evacuating the 18 residents from homes at the end of Hilltop Drive.

As the fire continued to spread, a second and then third alarm was requested to bring additional firefighters, apparatus, and water resources to the incident.

Firefighters faced several significant challenges, including narrow dirt roads, steep terrain, extreme heat, and thick blackberry bushes and brush that made access and movement difficult. Firefighters initially responded in structural firefighting gear for the mobile home fire but with the rapidly spreading vegetation fire, they had no time to change into wildland attire until after the fire was knocked down.

Approximately 20 minutes after BC31 arrived on scene, firefighters were able to stop the forward progress, preventing it from reaching the threatened structure. Crews continued to battle flare-ups and cool hot spots throughout the afternoon.

ODF responded with a dozer, which established a fire line around the entire fire, helping crews secure the perimeter.

Evacuations remained in place while firefighters worked to eliminate remaining threats. At approximately 1736 hours, evacuations were lifted after crews determined the immediate threat had been controlled.

Firefighters remained on scene until approximately 2000 hours completing overhaul and mop-up operations.

The only structure lost in the incident was the original mobile home. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

This incident required a significant regional response due to the rapid spread of the fire, challenging terrain, and lack of hydrants.

Lebanon Fire District was assisted by:

• Sweet Home Fire and Rescue
• Brownsville Fire District
• Halsey-Shedd Fire District
• Albany Fire Department
• Scio Fire District
• Tangent Fire District
• Oregon Department of Forestry
• Linn County Sheriff's Office

In total, the incident brought together 8 brush vehicles, 4 engines, 2 medic units with their assigned firefighters, 7 water tenders, 2 chief officers, and one dozer.

While Lebanon crews were committed to the incident, Albany Fire Department provided an engine and two medic units to Lebanon Fire District to maintain emergency response coverage within the district.

Fast-moving wildland fires like this one require a tremendous number of firefighters and resources to stop the fire's spread while simultaneously protecting threatened homes and evacuating residents. The coordinated response from fire agencies, ODF, and law enforcement was critical in stopping the fire before it reached additional structures.

Lebanon Fire District thanks all the responding agencies and firefighters who worked together to protect the residents and homes in the area.

Photo credit goes to Corbin Henderson