Forest Grove Fire & Rescue

06/15/2026

𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞-𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐁𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐧 𝐄𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭

Beginning over night at 12:01AM, June 15th, 2026, all fire agencies within Washington County enacted a High-Fire Danger Burn Ban, based on a recommendation made by the Washington County Fire Defense Board and in alignment with the Oregon Department of Forestry. Washington County fire agencies include: Banks Fire District #13, Cornelius Fire Department, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, Gaston Rural Fire District, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. Burning restrictions are authorized under Oregon Revised Statute 478.960 and Oregon Fire Code 307.

The burn ban prohibits all the following:
- Backyard or open burning (branches, yard debris, etc.).
- Agricultural burning (agricultural wastes, crops, field burning, etc.).
- Any other land clearing, slash, stump, waste, debris, or controlled burning.

The burn ban does not prohibit:
- Small outdoor cooking, warming, or recreational fires. These include portable or permanent fire pits, fire tables, and campfires, with a maximum fuel area of three feet in diameter and two feet in height in a safe location away from combustibles or vegetation and are fully extinguished after use.
- Barbecue grills, smokers, and similar cooking appliances with clean, dry firewood, briquettes, wood chips, pellets, propane, natural gas, or similar fuels.

More restrictive fire safety rules may exist on and within 1/8 mile of Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF)-protected land throughout much of rural Washington County. ODF restrictions may include prohibitions on campfires, smoking, target shooting, powered equipment, motorized vehicles, and other public/private landowner and industrial fire restrictions. More details about ODF fire restrictions are available at https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html.

Outdoor fires in violation of this burn ban may be immediately extinguished. If a fire agency responds to a fire that has been started in willful violation of this burn ban, the person responsible may be liable for all costs incurred, as well as legal fees per ORS 478.965.

For more information visit: burndaymessage.com

06/13/2026

Be aware that this incident is occurring just over the city limits in Cornelius and blowing smoke into Forest Grove. There is no need to call in to W.C.C.C.A. 9-1-1 about seeing smoke, they’re aware. If you have breathing problems, we suggest you stay indoors.

Our crews are on scene of a bark dust fire in several large piles. This is on N 4th Avenue at S&H Landscape. Firefighters are keeping the piles cooled down and preventing them from spreading further. We are also awaiting for heavy machinery to arrive to help break up the piles. This is going to be a long duration incident, producing a lot of smoke.

With windy conditions, smoke is currently being pushed south and west from the incident, likely being seen for several miles. If you have breathing problems, stay indoors. If you see the smoke, there is no need to report it.

06/12/2026

We are about to jump right into hot summer temperatures for a few days. Nothing extreme that we haven't seen before, but some of our bodies might not be ready for summer heat. Follow these tips to help you navigate safely through the warm temperatures.

- Stay hydrated, drink plenty of water
- Have sunscreen & light-colored, loose-fitted clothing
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest part of the day if possible
- Find locations with air conditioning
- Wear a life jacket when swimming in local rivers and lakes

06/12/2026

Just after 11:30 this morning, we responded to a reporter brush fire on NW Half Mile Lane. We arrived to find a burn pile had spread to a grass field, burning about 1/16 of an acre, which we quickly extinguished. This burn pile had no bare dirt around it and wasn’t being actively monitored.

This is the second burn pile that has spread in a week. Both instance didn’t have bare dirt surrounding it and weren’t being monitored.

Please remember that we will begin a county wide burn ban on ALL debris burning starting at 12:01am on Monday June 15th.

Please soak all old burn piles so they don’t re-ignite.

06/11/2026

Our staff and volunteers are saddened to hear of the recent passing of longtime volunteer Stacy Metzger, after her brave fight against cancer. Stacy was one of the most dedicated volunteers to come through our fire station in the last decade, beginning here in 2017, where she served in a community affairs role. Stacy was deeply involved in planning and preparing our community, and passionate about an effort she led called “Map Your Neighborhood”. An optometrist and a geologist in her life’s work, Stacy spent untold hours of her retirement years in our uniform, talking to hundreds of people across western Washington County, with the message being that in any sort of emergency it’s good to know who is your neighbor. This effort helped neighborhoods identify who had specific needs, or who had special skills, so that neighbors could truly help their neighbors in anything from a winter storm to a major earthquake. Beyond this, Stacy made every single one of our community events, from fireworks to toy drives, all with a smiling face and a helping hand. Stacy made such an impact here, she had only been involved for about a year when she was voted by her peers to be the Volunteer of the Year in 2017.

We miss her so much, and wish her family nothing but peace in this time of loss of such a tremendous woman and human being. Stacy truly cared for this community, but she loved her family dearly.

06/10/2026

𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝗿𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗻

Beginning Monday, June 15, 2026, at 12:01 am, all fire agencies within Washington County will enact a High-Fire Danger Burn Ban, based on a recommendation made by the Washington County Fire Defense Board and in alignment with the Oregon Department of Forestry. Washington County fire agencies include: Banks Fire District #13, Cornelius Fire Department, Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, Gaston Rural Fire District, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. Burning restrictions are authorized under Oregon Revised Statute 478.960 and Oregon Fire Code 307.

The burn ban prohibits all the following:

- Backyard or open burning (branches, yard debris, etc.).
- Agricultural burning (agricultural wastes, crops, field burning, etc.).
- Any other land clearing, slash, stump, waste, debris, or controlled burning.

The burn ban does not prohibit:

- Small outdoor cooking, warming, or recreational fires. These include portable or permanent fire pits, fire tables, and campfires, with a maximum fuel area of three feet in diameter and two feet in height in a safe location away from combustibles or vegetation and are fully extinguished after use.
- Barbecue grills, smokers, and similar cooking appliances with clean, dry firewood, briquettes, wood chips, pellets, propane, natural gas, or similar fuels.

More restrictive fire safety rules may exist on and within 1/8 mile of Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF)-protected land throughout much of rural Washington County. ODF restrictions may include prohibitions on campfires, smoking, target shooting, powered equipment, motorized vehicles, and other public/private landowner and industrial fire restrictions. More details about ODF fire restrictions are available at https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html.

Outdoor fires in violation of this burn ban may be immediately extinguished. If a fire agency responds to a fire that has been started in willful violation of this burn ban, the person responsible may be liable for all costs incurred, as well as legal fees per ORS 478.965.

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗪𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗼 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗮 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲. 𝗜𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲’𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘀.

06/08/2026

Two weeks ago, our firefighters went through DPSST Flammable Liquids and Gasses (FLAG) training in our classroom. This week they will be going through different hands on training scenarios to mitigate hazards. These sessions will be Tuesday afternoon and evening, Wednesday afternoon and Friday afternoon. During these training exercises, you'll see visible flames behind our fire station (like pictured from previous exercises).

As you drive by, it may appear that our station is on fire, but please do not call 911 to report these training exercises.

06/08/2026

This Saturday is the beginning of some hot weather, and our neighbors at Forest Grove City Library are kicking off their summer reading program. Come down to sign up for the program (kids get a free book), have a Popsicle, throw a water balloon and have some fun. Again, it is this Saturday June 13th at the Forest Grove Library (2114 Pacific Ave).

Summer Reading is in full swing! Stop by the library to sign up, now through August!

Kids and teens get a free book when they sign up and Adults are Reading for a Cause! We have something for all ages!

Don't forget about our big Summer Reading Kick-off on Saturday, June 13, from 12pm-1pm!

Music, chalk art, popsicles, water balloons, and more just outside the West entrance of the Library! Also, kids can pick up some extra special, EXTRA cute, stickers for their Summer Reading log!

06/05/2026

Over the years, we have responded to dozens of vehicle crashes at the intersection of Highway 47 and Maple Street/Fern Hill Road. We've seen the messages and comments about the intersection needing to be changed and that is going to occur. The next step in the process is an Open House to see the design and timeline to bring a traffic light to the intersection.

The Open House is next Thursday, June 11th from 5pm to 7pm. It'll be held at the Forest Grove Community Auditorium (1915 Main Street). You can meet with representatives from Forest Grove City Hall, Washington County, Oregon and Oregon Department of Transportation.

For further information on the project, visit: https://www.washingtoncountyor.gov/lut/projects/hwy-47-fern-hill-road-maple-street?fbclid=IwY2xjawSP5xJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiZTZFNGlBcWlXSUJ6c2w5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHlYHYdcblUSjmXaCJrbyP7hDsSoC-jlJD1ta62Ti7zVR-6kvYFH_ki6fkYa6_aem_ct2Ia3vBVmG1DHPaXlrJ8A

06/04/2026

Earlier this afternoon we responded to a reported brush fire on NW Seavey Road. A burn pile had spread to recently cut grass that was situated next to a wheat field. The grass fire was out when we arrived and thankfully the wheat field is still green, otherwise this could have quickly grown in the wheat field. We we down hot spots in the burned grass and instructor the land owner to use a tiller implement to create a bare dirt barrier around the burn pile.

While yard debris burning is still allowed until June 15th, it is still important to exercise fire safety practices.
- Have bare dirt surrounding your burn pile. A good rule of thumb is the width of the bare dirt path around the burn pile should be 1.5 times bigger than the height the flames. (ex 4ft flames should have a 6ft bare dirt path)
- Have a shovel and hose ready to be used in case the fire grows bigger than expected.
- Never leave a burn pile unattended. Always keep an eye on the burn pile.

As we inch towards fire season, please start conducting more fire safety practices. If you are done burning for the season, thoroughly wet down the pile to cool down any hidden hot spots that could reappear during the upcoming hot summer days.