Burn Pile Spreads To Adjacent Field
-05/10/25
On Friday, May 9, 2025 at approximately 3:00 PM, Sweet Home Fire responded to an alarm for a "small natural cover fire". Upon arrival of first responding units it was discovered that a backyard burn pile had cast embers with the wind over a fence and into the neighboring field, catching it on fire. The fuel involved was tall, dead grass and the fire was being pushed by steady winds. Responding firefighters quickly deployed a hose reel and were able to knock down the head of the fire before it got out of reach and into more populated areas. The total area burned was approximately .25 acres and did damage the wooden fence it crossed. ODF assisted Sweet Home Fire personnel with mop up and ensuring full extinguishment of the burn pile and surrounding area. This incident is a reminder that while the fields are still "greening up", there is a fair amount of dead and dry grasses and brush that can easily catch fire and spread rapidly without notice. Sweet Home Fire would like to thank ODF for their rapid response and assistance with keeping our city and surrounding community fire safe.
Hiker Rescued From Gordon Meadows Trail (Photo)
-05/07/25
Medic 21 and Crew 21 were assisted by Linn County Search and Rescue this afternoon on the Gordon Meadows Trail. Crews responded for a hiker who contacted 911 via text for a medical emergency. 12 personnel from Sweet Home Fire and 7 members of SAR responded. The patient was carried out in a stokes basket, but refused further medical treatment or transport by ambulance. Due to the remote location and a lack of good cell coverage, communications were hampered and pinpointing the patient's location was a challenge. It took an hour and 40 minutes for crews to reach the patient.
Weed Burner Starts House Fire (Photo)
-05/07/25
A home sustained heavy fire damage as a result of a propane weed burner being used too close to the wood structure. The homeowner recognized the fire quickly and attempted to extinguish it, however the fire rapidly spread through a void space between the original structure and an addition, reaching the attic. Firefighters from Sweet Home responded and had the fire knocked down within 20 minutes of the initial 911 call. Extensive overhaul was required to ensure complete extinguishment where the original structure and the addition met. The occupants of the home were not inside at the time of the fire. Sweet Home Fire responded with 16 personnel, staffing 2 engines, 1 rescue unit, 2 ambulances, and 2 command vehicles. One ambulance was called away during the fire to respond to a rescue.
