Lincoln City 2026 Independence Day Fire - 07/06/26
The Lincoln City Police Department investigated a brush fire threatening residential structures on the evening of July 4th 2026 leading to the arrest of eight suspects.
The investigation into the fire is still ongoing; however, initial reports indicate that around 9:00 PM on Independence Day a group of young men were observed by neighbors recklessly launching illegal aerial fireworks off their back porch into a grassy hillside overlooking the beach, which then caught fire. The gathering was at a family home on Coast Avenue, and not a Vacation Rental Dwelling. Despite initial denials, once confronted with video evidence taken by a neighbor, the young man hosting the gathering admitted that he and his guests had committed the conduct.
The following individuals received criminal citations to appear in the Lincoln County Circuit Court on July 20th for ORS 164.335 Reckless Burning, an A Misdemeanor:
Alexander Chen, 21, of Portland Oregon
Arvin Kharrazu, 21, of Portland Oregon
Braeden Carter, 21, of Bend Oregon
Ethan Thanh-Tai Tieu, 21, of Battleground Washington
Jeremy Hannah, 21, of Portland Oregon
Jesse Lindholm, 21, of Portland Oregon
Logan Carter, 21, of Bend Oregon
Olin Gilster, 21, of Portland Oregon
In total eight Lincoln City Police Department Officers assisted eighteen fire-fighters from North Lincoln Fire & Rescue, Depoe Bay Fire District, Newport Fire Department, and the Oregon Department of Forestry to contain the blaze which reached approximately 45,000 square feet and came within approximately 30 feet of three residences. Incident Commander NLFR Deputy Chief Cody Heidt directed the firefighting efforts.
Using thermal imaging, the LCPD Unmanned Aircraft System Team assisted by identifying hot spots and fire movement to coordinate the efforts of fire crews to better protect houses and structures in the area. The Department’s UAS program has become an important public safety asset for the community from search and rescue, to locating missing children, and now coordinating with fire-fighting efforts.
Thanks to the mutual aid from our small coastal communities, three families still have homes. This is another example of why we take the reckless use of fireworks seriously. In many parts of our Country, they may not pose as much of a threat. Out on the Oregon Coast, in dry months, irresponsible use of fireworks can have grave consequences.