21271261_1291477940975130_4925852535640750041_n.jpg

Albany Fire Department has sent 14 firefighters and command staff to the active Chetco Bar Fire in Southern Oregon and the Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia Gorge.

Saturday, September 2, 2017, AFD send an engine staffed with 3 firefighters, 2 task force leaders, and 1 command staff member to work with the State Incident Management Team at Chetco Bar. Our staff will work with countless other fire departments, including local agencies form Linn County, to fight the fire and assist with logistics.

This morning, September 5, 2017, at 0100 hours and 0700 hours we dispatched an AFD engine with 4 firefighters, a brush rig staffed with 3 firefighters and one from command staff to work with the State Incident Management Team.

All four Albany Fire Stations are staffed and all shifts are covered for the week. We are also running 2 medic units from Station 14 in North Albany to assist with medical calls. We currently have no estimated time of return of our crews.

Currently, Linn and Benton County have provided 12 fire engines, 3 water tenders and 8 command/staff vehicles to the Chetco Bar and Eagle Creek fires. There are 51 firefighters from 9 fire departments, including: Albany Fire, Sweet Home Fire District, Lebanon Fire District, Halsey-Shedd Rural Fire Protection Agency, Tangent Rural Fire District, Scio Rural Fire District, Corvallis Fire Department, and Philomath Fire Department.

It is critical to remember the Linn County Burn Ban is still in place. We are under extreme fire conditions and request all residents of Linn County to do their part to prevent additional fires in our state. The ban means that all fires are strictly prohibited, including all recreational fires in backyard fire pits. Also, consider all fireworks as potential fire starters. Please do not use any type of fireworks. If you smoke, please use a metal can with sand to extinguish your cigarettes and never throw cigarettes butts outside, including from moving vehicles.

11035978_594025127405055_5352785054125021413_n.jpg

For most Albany children, school begins Tuesday, September 5, 2017. School days bring excitement, new schedules and new experiences. More of our children will be out walking, riding their bikes and going to and from school bus stops. This is an important time for drivers to drive well and remain alert.

Start bells have changed for many Greater Albany Public Schools, which means schools drop-off areas will be active from 7:15-8:45 a.m.; pick-up times 2:45 p.m.-3:45 p.m. You can find out more information about your school's pick-up policies at http://albany.k12.or.us/

Please keep the following tips in mind as we head into the school year:

Slow down. Decreasing your speed reduces your chance of being in a motor vehicle accident. Reaction time is everything.

Building in additional time to drop your children off or for picking them up will keep you patient and calm. Agitation and frustration can lead to poor decision-making.

Prepare to stop frequently for school buses. When red lights are flashing, you must stop.

Never pass in school zones. Vehicles could be stopped for pedestrians crossing the street. This includes passing on the shoulder where bicyclists may be traveling.

Obey all traffic laws which include flashing pedestrian signals.

The Albany Fire Department and the City of Albany wish you a fun and productive school year. Stay safe; we will be here if you need us.