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News Release

Oregon Fire Service Health And Safety Collaborative, Oregon State Fire Marshal Focus On Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month - 01/22/26

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon State Fire Marshal joins fire departments statewide and national partners in observing January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, a time to recognize the elevated risk of occupational cancer among firefighters and recommit to prevention, education, and support for those affected.

 

Firefighter occupational cancer is one of the leading causes of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service. The Oregon State Fire Marshal and national partners, including the International Association of Fire Fighters and the

 

Firefighter Cancer Support Network, highlight this risk and provide resources throughout January to raise awareness, share best practices, and support survivors.

 

“Every firefighter deserves a safe work environment and a long, healthy life after service,” said State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “This is why we created the Oregon Fire Service Health and Safety Collaborative. Prioritizing the health and safety of our firefighters both supports them and strengthens our ability to protect our communities.”

 

Focus on Prevention and Health

 

The Oregon Fire Service Health & Safety Collaborative continues to advance initiatives that help reduce cancer risk for firefighters and first responders across Oregon. Through this collaborative, the Oregon State Fire Marshal provides:

  • Cancer risk reduction resources: Tools and guidance tailored for fire service members on minimizing exposure to carcinogens encountered during emergency operations.
  • Education on best practices: Including decontamination procedures, protective equipment care, and exposure mitigation strategies.
  • Support for health and wellness: Resources related to physical and behavioral health to support firefighters throughout their careers.

“Our collaborative bridges local fire agencies, health professionals, and firefighters to share strategies that make a real difference in daily operations,” Ruiz-Temple said. “Focusing on firefighter cancer in January amplifies that work and gives us an opportunity to bring every local fire agency along in adopting lifesaving practices.”

 

Supporting the Firefighter Community

 

Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month offers weekly themes, educational tools, and actionable steps for fire departments to enhance cancer prevention efforts. National partners provide:

  • Safety stand-downs, fact sheets, and training briefs
  • Survivor stories and prevention strategies focused on exposure reduction
  • Outreach efforts to strengthen legislative and health support for firefighters

Get Involved

 

Firefighters, departments, families, and communities are encouraged to participate in awareness activities throughout January and beyond.

 

For tools, guides, and information visit: Oregon Fire Service Health & Safety Collaborative.

 

For national resources and support:

Oregon Fire Service Health And Safety Collaborative, Oregon State Fire Marshal Focus On Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month - 01/22/26

SALEM, Ore. — The Oregon State Fire Marshal joins fire departments statewide and national partners in observing January as Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month, a time to recognize the elevated risk of occupational cancer among firefighters and recommit to prevention, education, and support for those affected.

 

Firefighter occupational cancer is one of the leading causes of line-of-duty deaths in the fire service. The Oregon State Fire Marshal and national partners, including the International Association of Fire Fighters and the

 

Firefighter Cancer Support Network, highlight this risk and provide resources throughout January to raise awareness, share best practices, and support survivors.

 

“Every firefighter deserves a safe work environment and a long, healthy life after service,” said State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “This is why we created the Oregon Fire Service Health and Safety Collaborative. Prioritizing the health and safety of our firefighters both supports them and strengthens our ability to protect our communities.”

 

Focus on Prevention and Health

 

The Oregon Fire Service Health & Safety Collaborative continues to advance initiatives that help reduce cancer risk for firefighters and first responders across Oregon. Through this collaborative, the Oregon State Fire Marshal provides:

  • Cancer risk reduction resources: Tools and guidance tailored for fire service members on minimizing exposure to carcinogens encountered during emergency operations.
  • Education on best practices: Including decontamination procedures, protective equipment care, and exposure mitigation strategies.
  • Support for health and wellness: Resources related to physical and behavioral health to support firefighters throughout their careers.

“Our collaborative bridges local fire agencies, health professionals, and firefighters to share strategies that make a real difference in daily operations,” Ruiz-Temple said. “Focusing on firefighter cancer in January amplifies that work and gives us an opportunity to bring every local fire agency along in adopting lifesaving practices.”

 

Supporting the Firefighter Community

 

Firefighter Cancer Awareness Month offers weekly themes, educational tools, and actionable steps for fire departments to enhance cancer prevention efforts. National partners provide:

  • Safety stand-downs, fact sheets, and training briefs
  • Survivor stories and prevention strategies focused on exposure reduction
  • Outreach efforts to strengthen legislative and health support for firefighters

Get Involved

 

Firefighters, departments, families, and communities are encouraged to participate in awareness activities throughout January and beyond.

 

For tools, guides, and information visit: Oregon Fire Service Health & Safety Collaborative.

 

For national resources and support:

Oregon State Fire Marshal Urges Home Fire Safety During Community Risk Reduction Week (Photo) - 01/20/26

Salem, Ore. –  Every 30 minutes, a fire agency in Oregon responds to a fire—an alarming reality that claimed 57 lives in 2025. To help prevent these tragedies, Oregon recognizes January 19-25, 2026, as Community Risk Reduction Week. 

 

The Oregon State Fire Marshal urges everyone living in and visiting the state to take action for home fire safety.  

 

“Our firefighters work hard every day to protect your family, even before emergencies happen,” said Mariana Ruiz-Temple, state fire marshal. “When you practice fire safety at home, you’re helping them keep your community safe.”  

 

Community Risk Reduction Week is a nationwide effort to reduce risks in local communities to prevent emergencies. The Oregon State Fire Marshal reminds the public that everyone has a role in reducing risk, especially at home.   

 

In Oregon, the top three causes of home fires are cooking, home heating, and electrical issues. There are simple steps that every Oregonian can take to prevent home fires:  

 

Stay in the kitchen while cooking. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. If you must leave the room, turn off the burner. Use a timer to remind yourself that you are cooking.  

 

Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually. Furnaces, wood stoves, and chimneys should be serviced annually by qualified professionals. Use space heaters with automatic shutoffs and keep them on a flat surface at least three feet from anything that can burn.  

 

Use electrical equipment safely. Don’t overload electrical outlets or power strips. Plug major appliances like heaters, stoves, and refrigerators directly into wall outlets, not into an extension cord or power strip.  

 

More Home Safety Tips  

 

Test smoke alarms every month. Press the test button every month to ensure each alarm is working. You should have smoke alarms outside each bedroom and on every level of your home. Even if they seem to be working, replace smoke alarms every 10 years or according to the manufacturer.  

 

Create and practice a home fire escape plan. Know two ways out of every room and practice your home fire escape plan with all household members, including children and older adults.  

 

“Preventing a fire is always better than responding to one,” Ruiz-Temple added. “These actions take only minutes, but they can prevent a tragedy from happening.”  

 

Governor Tina Kotek proclaimed January 19-25, 2026, Community Risk Reduction Week in Oregon. 

 

Get Involved  

 

For more home fire safety tips, visit the Oregon State Fire Marshal website: https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/Pages/default.aspx   

 

Follow the Oregon State Fire Marshal on social media for tips you can share with friends and neighbors.  

Contact your local fire department for smoke alarm assistance programs and additional home safety resources. 

Attached Media Files: Oregon recognizes January 19-25, 2026, as Community Risk Reduction Week.,

Oregon State Fire Marshal Urges Home Fire Safety During Community Risk Reduction Week (Photo) - 01/20/26

Salem, Ore. –  Every 30 minutes, a fire agency in Oregon responds to a fire—an alarming reality that claimed 57 lives in 2025. To help prevent these tragedies, Oregon recognizes January 19-25, 2026, as Community Risk Reduction Week. 

 

The Oregon State Fire Marshal urges everyone living in and visiting the state to take action for home fire safety.  

 

“Our firefighters work hard every day to protect your family, even before emergencies happen,” said Mariana Ruiz-Temple, state fire marshal. “When you practice fire safety at home, you’re helping them keep your community safe.”  

 

Community Risk Reduction Week is a nationwide effort to reduce risks in local communities to prevent emergencies. The Oregon State Fire Marshal reminds the public that everyone has a role in reducing risk, especially at home.   

 

In Oregon, the top three causes of home fires are cooking, home heating, and electrical issues. There are simple steps that every Oregonian can take to prevent home fires:  

 

Stay in the kitchen while cooking. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. If you must leave the room, turn off the burner. Use a timer to remind yourself that you are cooking.  

 

Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected annually. Furnaces, wood stoves, and chimneys should be serviced annually by qualified professionals. Use space heaters with automatic shutoffs and keep them on a flat surface at least three feet from anything that can burn.  

 

Use electrical equipment safely. Don’t overload electrical outlets or power strips. Plug major appliances like heaters, stoves, and refrigerators directly into wall outlets, not into an extension cord or power strip.  

 

More Home Safety Tips  

 

Test smoke alarms every month. Press the test button every month to ensure each alarm is working. You should have smoke alarms outside each bedroom and on every level of your home. Even if they seem to be working, replace smoke alarms every 10 years or according to the manufacturer.  

 

Create and practice a home fire escape plan. Know two ways out of every room and practice your home fire escape plan with all household members, including children and older adults.  

 

“Preventing a fire is always better than responding to one,” Ruiz-Temple added. “These actions take only minutes, but they can prevent a tragedy from happening.”  

 

Governor Tina Kotek proclaimed January 19-25, 2026, Community Risk Reduction Week in Oregon. 

 

Get Involved  

 

For more home fire safety tips, visit the Oregon State Fire Marshal website: https://www.oregon.gov/osfm/education/Pages/default.aspx   

 

Follow the Oregon State Fire Marshal on social media for tips you can share with friends and neighbors.  

Contact your local fire department for smoke alarm assistance programs and additional home safety resources. 

Attached Media Files: Oregon recognizes January 19-25, 2026, as Community Risk Reduction Week.,

Colder Overnight Temperatures Prompt Home Heating Fire Safety Reminder - 01/14/26

SALEM, Ore. – With below freezing overnight temperatures and recent home fires related to heating, the Oregon State Fire Marshal would like to remind Oregonians about the importance of fire safety. Since January 1, the agency has investigated 10 home fires across the state from various causes.

 

This past weekend, the Baker City Fire Department responded to two home fires related to fireplaces and chimneys. In Portland, a 64-year-old woman was taken to the hospital after a house fire Monday morning. Portland Fire and Rescue said she later died. Investigators believe the suspected cause of this fire is use of an extension cord on an auxiliary space heater.

 

“These fires come as a tragic reminder of the importance of home heating fire safety, the second leading cause of home fires every year in Oregon,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “Following fire safety guidance and testing smoke alarms regularly are important steps every Oregonian can take this winter.”

 

The Oregon State Fire Marshal offers these tips:

  • Keep things that burn, like paper, curtains, bedding, or furniture, at least three feet away from all heating equipment, including fireplaces, wood stoves, and pellet stoves.
  • Always plug space and portable heaters directly into a wall outlet and never into an extension cord or power strip.
  • Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
  • Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.
  • Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of heating equipment fires (46%) occurred in the three-month period from December through February.


In the first two weeks of 2026, three fire-related deaths were reported to the Oregon State Fire Marshal.
 

For more home heating safety tips, visit the OSFM’s website.

Colder Overnight Temperatures Prompt Home Heating Fire Safety Reminder - 01/14/26

SALEM, Ore. – With below freezing overnight temperatures and recent home fires related to heating, the Oregon State Fire Marshal would like to remind Oregonians about the importance of fire safety. Since January 1, the agency has investigated 10 home fires across the state from various causes.

 

This past weekend, the Baker City Fire Department responded to two home fires related to fireplaces and chimneys. In Portland, a 64-year-old woman was taken to the hospital after a house fire Monday morning. Portland Fire and Rescue said she later died. Investigators believe the suspected cause of this fire is use of an extension cord on an auxiliary space heater.

 

“These fires come as a tragic reminder of the importance of home heating fire safety, the second leading cause of home fires every year in Oregon,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “Following fire safety guidance and testing smoke alarms regularly are important steps every Oregonian can take this winter.”

 

The Oregon State Fire Marshal offers these tips:

  • Keep things that burn, like paper, curtains, bedding, or furniture, at least three feet away from all heating equipment, including fireplaces, wood stoves, and pellet stoves.
  • Always plug space and portable heaters directly into a wall outlet and never into an extension cord or power strip.
  • Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional.
  • Keep space heaters out of the way of foot traffic. Never block an exit.
  • Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
  • Test smoke alarms at least once a month.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly half of heating equipment fires (46%) occurred in the three-month period from December through February.


In the first two weeks of 2026, three fire-related deaths were reported to the Oregon State Fire Marshal.
 

For more home heating safety tips, visit the OSFM’s website.