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The Linn County Fire Defense Board, representing the fire agencies of Albany, Lebanon, Sweet Home, Scio, Tangent, Brownsville, Halsey-Shedd, and Harrisburg, has announced an extension of the outdoor burning ban. Originally delayed to October 15, 2024, the start of the fall outdoor burning season has now been pushed to October 20, 2024. This decision is in alignment with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), as fire safety concerns remain due to ongoing dry conditions.
While ODF forecasts significant wetting rains around October 20, current conditions—including a lack of rain and warmer-than-usual temperatures—continue to fuel fire risks across the state. The 2024 fire season has been one of the most severe in Oregon’s history, with more than 2,400 fires reported statewide. Of these, 89 were classified as "large fires," each burning over 1,000 acres, and human activity is believed to have caused around 50 of them. In total, over 1.9 million acres have burned this year, setting a new record for the state.
The extended delay in the outdoor burning season is necessary due to dry vegetation, low humidity, and strong winds, which together create an elevated risk of wildfires spreading quickly if burning is allowed too early. Residents must comply with these restrictions to protect public safety and prevent additional strain on firefighting resources.
⚠️ Alternatives to Open Burning ⚠️
• Recycle paper products
• Dispose of waste at a landfill
• Compost yard debris and kitchen scraps
• Reuse old lumber
• Use a chipper to create mulch or compost
• Organize a neighborhood cleanup day
• Take hazardous materials like oil-based paints, solvents, garden chemicals, and car fluids to a hazardous waste collection site. Burning these materials is illegal and dangerous.
The Linn County Fire Defense Board and ODF will continue to monitor conditions leading up to the new October 20 start date. For updates on the outdoor burning season, please call the Linn County Burn Line at 541-451-1904 or check the Willamette Valley Open Burning Announcement at https://smkmgt.com/burn.php.
The Lebanon Fire District held its annual Fire Safety Expo on Saturday, October 5th, welcoming many community members for a day of fire safety, live demonstrations, and fun activities.
“We’re very grateful to everyone who came out and supported the event,” said Fire Chief Joseph Rodondi. “Events like these show how strong our community is, and it’s a great chance for people to see what we do to keep them safe.”
The event featured exciting live demonstrations, including firefighters tackling a house fire, rescuing someone from a vehicle, and performing a cardiac arrest response. These demos gave the public an up-close look at the skills and teamwork involved in emergency situations.
Along with the demonstrations, the Expo included booths from key community partners, such as the Lebanon Police Department, LFCAIRS (Lebanon Fire Community Assistance and Relief Services), Life Flight, and Linn County Search and Rescue. Their involvement helped make the event a success!
A highlight of the day was the inaugural LFCAIRS Pancake Breakfast, which attracted nearly 100 people and raised $600. The funds will be used to provide safety equipment and assistance to fire loss victims in Lebanon. If you'd like to support LFCAIRS, donations can be made at 1050 W. Oak Street, Lebanon, OR 97355. Be sure to follow LFCAIRS on Facebook for updates and upcoming events.
We also extend a special thank you to Lieutenant Candace Hedding for her exceptional coordination of the event, as well as Firefighter Tyler Day and Engineer Nick Unruh for their hard work in ensuring everything ran smoothly.
The Lebanon Fire District thanks everyone who came out to the Expo and made it a great day. We look forward to seeing you at future events and continuing to serve our community!
Lebanon Fire District responded to 5-acre grass fire. At approximately 3:30 this afternoon the initial dispatch for a “burn complaint” came into Lebanon Fire District. Lebanon initially responded with one fire apparatus to the call. After arriving in the area of the fire, the unit on scene had a difficult time finding access to the fire, they called for additional units to help gain access. BC31 was the second unit on scene and found a grass fire that was roughly 5 acres in size and moving slowly in a harvested field. The incident was upgrade to a first alarm assignment, bringing in 3 engines and a water tender to help suppress the fire. The crews were able to quickly knock down the fire down and keep it from growing. They spent an additional hour extinguishing the smoldering hot spot through out the field and fence lines.
Burning during this extended closed season could significantly worsen the current fire situation. As a result, the Linn County Fire Defense Board and ODF have enacted stricter regulations to ensure public safety. It is critical for residents to comply with these restrictions to avoid further strain on firefighting resources and help prevent additional fires.
⚠️ Alternatives to Open Burning ⚠️
• Recycle paper products
• Dispose of waste at a landfill
• Compost yard debris and kitchen scraps
• Reuse old lumber
• Use a chipper to create mulch or compost
• Organize a neighborhood cleanup day
• Take hazardous materials like oil-based paints, solvents, garden chemicals, and car fluids to a hazardous waste collection site. Burning these materials is illegal and dangerous.
The Linn County Fire Defense Board and ODF will review conditions as the October 15 start date approaches. For updates on the outdoor burning season, please call the Linn County Burn Line at 541-451-1904 or check the Willamette Valley Open Burning Announcement at https://smkmgt.com/burn.php.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Lebanon Fire District is using this time to shed light on the heightened cancer risks faced by firefighters. Cancer has become the leading cause of death in the fire service, with firefighters regularly exposed to dangerous substances that significantly increase their risk of developing various cancers, including breast cancer.
“Our firefighters face many dangers every day, and long-term health risks from cancer-causing substances are a serious concern,” said Chief Rodondi of Lebanon Fire District. “It’s important to raise awareness and advocate for better protections for our team, as cancer is the leading cause of death in our profession.”
Throughout October, Lebanon Fire District crews will wear pink t-shirts in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, helping to raise awareness of the dangers firefighters face and supporting the fight against cancer. This includes exposure to harmful substances like PFAS, often called “forever chemicals,” which have been linked to cancer and other serious health issues.
For more information about our efforts and how you can support breast cancer awareness and firefighter safety, visit www.lebanonfire.org/.
This afternoon at approximately 1338 Lebanon Fire District was dispatched to a tree fire. A large plum of smoke was visible enroute and BC-31 immediately called for a first alarm. On arrival there was an approximately 1-acre area of grass that had been burnt with several trees on fire. The home owners had advised command that they were mowing grass when a spark from their lawn mower had ignited their field moving into the trees. 9 units from the Lebanon Fire District responded to the fire with 16 firefighters. Tangent assisted by bringing a water tender.
Just a reminder, use caution when mowing. Fuels are still dry and we aren’t out of the fire season yet.
The Linn County Fire Defense Board, representing the fire agencies of Albany, Lebanon, Sweet Home, Scio, Tangent, Brownsville, Halsey-Shedd, and Harrisburg, has announced a delay in the start of the fall outdoor burning season. Originally set for October 1, 2024, the new start date will be October 15, 2024. This decision was made in collaboration with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) due to ongoing fire safety concerns.
The 2024 fire season has been one of the most severe in Oregon’s history. Data from the ODF shows that more than 2,400 fires have occurred statewide this year. Of these, 89 were classified as “large fires,” each burning over 1,000 acres, with potentially 50 of them caused by human activity. In total, over 1.9 million acres have burned, setting a new record for the state.
The decision to delay the fall burning season is driven by ongoing fire risk conditions. Despite cooler temperatures typical for fall, Oregon is still experiencing unusually dry weather, with low humidity levels and dry vegetation that continue to fuel fire hazards. These factors, combined with strong seasonal winds, create an elevated risk of wildfires spreading rapidly if outdoor burning is allowed too soon.
Burning during this extended closed season could significantly worsen the current fire situation. As a result, the Linn County Fire Defense Board and ODF have enacted stricter regulations to ensure public safety. It is critical for residents to comply with these restrictions to avoid further strain on firefighting resources and help prevent additional fires.
Alternatives to Open Burning:
- Recycle paper products
- Dispose of waste at a landfill
- Compost yard debris and kitchen scraps
- Reuse old lumber
- Use a chipper to create mulch or compost
- Organize a neighborhood cleanup day
- Take hazardous materials like oil-based paints, solvents, garden chemicals, and car fluids to a hazardous waste collection site. Burning these materials is illegal and dangerous.
The Linn County Fire Defense Board and ODF will review conditions as the October 15 start date approaches. For updates on the outdoor burning season, please call the Linn County Burn Line at 541-451-1904 or check the Willamette Valley Open Burning Announcement at https://smkmgt.com/burn.php.