Gilliam County Fire Services - Oregon

05/30/2026

Thank you Sgt Redden for stepping up and serving as our PIO for the County and our Fire Agencies. Honestly without you, getting information to the public in a timely manner would be impossible with the many hats our command staff wear!

Also a big Thank you to Big River Pizza & Grill for making meals and Stacey Jean with North Gilliam ambulance for delivering the food to the scene for the crews and Becky Rietmann for bringing water and Gatorade

05/29/2026

Shout out to our partners at the Gilliam County Sheriff's Office and Sgt. Redden for sticking by my side getting information and pushing it out to the public as this incident unfolded and we worked to control and contain this fast moving fire. Fortunately we were able to save and direct the fire around all primary structures and all residents were able to return home after power was restored!
Thank you to all the crews from North Gilliam Rural Fire Protection District, South Gilliam County Rural Fire Protection District, Boardman Fire Rescue District, Frontier Regional 911 Dispatch, ODOT, and Pacific Power for your quick response and hard work.

Hwy 74 Fire
Incident Commander
Casey Zellars

05/28/2026

On behalf of North Gilliam Rural Fire Protection District and South Gilliam County Rural Fire Protection District we would like to Thank the Arlington and Condon ODOT crews for mowing the sides of our roadways they manage.

05/27/2026

We could see some significant weather in our area tomorrow.

05/12/2026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: May 12, 2026
Gilliam County Burn Ban to Take Effect May 15, 2026
Gilliam County, OR — Due to increasing fire danger and deteriorating weather conditions across the region, a countywide burn ban will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. on May 15, 2026.
This action is being implemented by order of the Gilliam County Fire Chiefs under the authority granted by Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 478.960, in an effort to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires and protect life, property, and natural resources.
Current and forecasted conditions—including rising temperatures, low humidity, and drying fuels—have significantly elevated the potential for rapid fire spread throughout Gilliam County.
Burn Ban Details
Effective at the start of the ban:
• All OPEN BURNING is prohibited, including burning garbage, debris, yard debris, construction materials, the remains of demolished structures, burn barrels, outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and back yard incinerators.
• Additional restrictions may apply to activities that pose a fire risk.
Allowed Activities
• Propane fire pits, cook stoves or barbecue grills with briquettes are typically allowed but should be used with caution and proper clearance.
• Agricultural burning is allowed provided the responsible party has fire suppression equipment available on site and calls Frontier Regional 911 prior to burning.
o All agricultural fires must be extinguished and monitored by sunset.
• Residents are urged to remain vigilant and ensure all ignition sources are properly managed.
Public Safety Reminder
The cooperation of all residents and visitors is critical in preventing wildfires. Even small sparks can quickly escalate into dangerous incidents under current conditions.
Violations of the burn ban may result in fines and liability for suppression costs if a fire is caused.
For questions or additional information, please contact your local fire department.
North Gilliam County RFPD, 541-454-2900 South Gilliam County RFPD, 541-384-5555

05/08/2026

Crews are working to keep the fire contained inside the containers to limit any exposure to the vegetation nearby.

04/20/2026

South and North Gilliam County RFPD is looking for some assistance in getting rid of scrap metal. We are needing to get it removed sooner than later.

South Gilliam County Rural Fire Protection District has 3 Cars that we used for extrication training, they are cut up and will need to be haul with a trailer. We have the Titles for all 3 cars.

North Gilliam Rural Fire Protection District has a pile of scrap metal from a decommissioning of a brush truck and a very large Aluminum tank.

All free for the taking must take all scrap metal.

If this is something you would be interested in please message us or stop by the station.

02/14/2026

Our thought and prayers go out to the family of Captain Mike Foster, his brothers and sisters at Umatilla Tribal Fire, and those that he touched with his professionalism and kind heart!

I had the privilege to work along side of “Mikey” during my time at Tribal Fire!

You will be missed and Brother we got it from here!

Casey Zellars
Operations Chief
Gilliam County Fire Services

Umatilla Tribal Fire Department Mourns Loss of Capt. Mike Foster

MISSION – With profound sadness, the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department (UTFD) and Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) announce the tragic loss of UTFD Capt. Mike Foster, who died Feb. 12 at his Pendleton home as a result of an accident.

Foster, 54, served with the UTFD for more than 15 years. Throughout his career, he showed great commitment to protecting the lives, health and safety of the CTUIR community and surrounding region by serving as a paramedic, fire service leader and mentor to numerous firefighters and EMS personnel.

UTFD Chief James Hall said Foster – known for his professionalism, compassion and leadership – played a vital role in strengthening emergency medical services and fire protection on the Umatilla Indian Reservation and surrounding communities.

“Captain Foster served his community with honor, integrity and unwavering dedication. He was not only an exceptional paramedic and leader but also a brother to all of us in the fire service,” Hall said. “His loss is deeply felt across our department, community and the many lives he touched throughout his lifelong career in fire/EMS. His service reflects a legacy of selflessness and commitment that will never be forgotten.”

CTUIR Board of Trustees (BOT) Treasurer Raymond Huesties, who is also a firefighter, said Foster was a friend who will be deeply missed.

“It has always been and will continue to be an honor and privilege to serve the community alongside such brave and dedicated people like Captain Mike Foster. He will be deeply missed on the fire scene as well as in the community,” Huesties said. “I have always considered him, and every first responder, as family members. I want to thank his family for sharing him with all of us to help protect and serve the CTUIR. Captain Mike Foster was my friend and brother in fire. I will miss him. Rest in peace, Captain Foster.”

BOT Trustee Corinne Sams also offered her condolences on behalf of the CTUIR Law & Order Committee to Foster’s family and the UTFD.

“We would like to offer our deepest condolences to the family of Captain Mike Foster. We extend those condolences to Chief Hall and the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department. Captain Foster was a dedicated and proud Umatilla Tribal Fire Department firefighter who served our community with care and honor. We are forever grateful to Captain Foster for the work he so diligently carried out at the Umatilla Tribal Fire Department and his family who supported that work,” she said.

The UTFD and CTUIR ask the community to keep Capt. Foster’s family, especially his fiancée, Elisa, in its prayers during this time of mourning.

Services for Foster – a native of Vancouver, Washington – are to be determined.

The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation is comprised of the Cayuse, Walla Walla and Umatilla Tribes, and formed under the Treaty of 1855 at the Walla Walla Valley, 12 Stat. 945. In 1949, the Tribes adopted a constitutional form of government to protect, preserve and enhance the reserved treaty rights guaranteed under federal law.

Caption: Capt. Mike Foster

10/15/2025

Gilliam County Burn Ban officially lifted today October 15, 2025

09/30/2025

Burn Ban Update!