EUGENE, Ore. – The National Weather Service’s Severe Weather Awareness week continues Thursday with a focus on wildland fires. The threat of wildfires in Oregon rises significantly in the middle of June, peaks in early July and remains high through early September. Most wildfires are ignited by lightning. Dry thunderstorms can produce lightning and gusty … Continue reading »
Ridgeline School Settles into New Home
EUGENE, Ore. — It wasn’t a rise from the ashes but a move from them, over and over again, that allowed Ridgeline Montessori School to finally find a new permanent space. The school’s been moving around Eugene since a fire ruined its old campus four years ago. The school has now spent its first full … Continue reading »
Dry Winter Could Affect Fire Season
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. — The warm spring weather means that the wildfire season is also just around the corner. Local wildfire experts say the dry winter could mean trouble in the high country. “Snowpack levels are below normal in most parts of the state,” said Brian Dally, Wildland Supervisor. Western Oregon is seeing a lot less … Continue reading »
Fire Damages Benton Plaza
CORVALLIS, Ore. — The Corvallis Fire Department responded to a report of a structure fire Tuesday at the Benton Plaza downtown. Just before 4:30 a.m., firefighters responded to the building on the 100 block of SW 4th Street; upon arrival, crews encountered a partially burned, canvass awning. The awning had been extinguished by a Corvallis … Continue reading »
Homeowner Faces Arson Charges in Fire
ROSEBURG, Ore. – The Douglas County Fire District #2 and the Douglas County Sherriff’s Office responded to reports of a structure fire Sunday. Further investigation by the fire marshal determined the fire was arson. Fire crews responded to the home of Tiffany Jones at 2416 Roberts Creek Rd around 5 p.m. after reports came in … Continue reading »
Philomath Fire Approves Rural Annexation
PHILOMATH, Ore. — An annexation recommended Monday could provide fire protection for rural Benton County families. The Philomath Fire and Rescue Board approved a recommendation to annex a small part of an area known as the Greenberry Gap. The area hasn’t belonged to a fire district in five decades. There are about 500 buildings, including … Continue reading »
Fire Protection for Benton County
CORVALLIS, Ore. — Officials in Benton County are seeking to provide formal fire protection to a rural area south of Corvallis. The area is called Greenberry Gap–27,000 acres of mostly farmland that falls outside the boundary of any rural fire protection district. For the first time, Benton County is considering annexation of a two-square-mile neighborhood … Continue reading »
Fire Damages West Eugene Home
EUGENE, Ore. — A family is without a home and investigators are trying to figure out why. A fire started on the 3700 block of Dove Lane about 7:30 Tuesday night. The fire apparently started inside the wall of the home. Once on scene firefighters managed to locate the source. That’s when they made their … Continue reading »
Oregon Fires Claim No Kids in 2012
EUGENE, Ore. — For the first time ever, state fire marshals reported that no children died in fires in Oregon in 2012. Firefighters attribute the record-breaking news to a team effort of fire codes, expanding education programs and hard work on all accounts, but there’s still more work to be done with non-child victims. “(We) … Continue reading »
