Oak Harbor Fire Department

06/26/2026

🚫 charcoal; ✅ gas grill. 🇺🇸

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FROM THE Oak Harbor Chamber:

Please note: no charcoal grills at the park. Propane grills are ok!

Visit https://www.oakharborchamber.com/ for more information.

06/26/2026

Wildfire Safety Starts at Home

Summer is approaching, and now is the perfect time to prepare your property.

Creating defensible space around your home can help reduce wildfire risk:
🌲 Remove dead vegetation and debris
🌲 Keep grass trimmed
🌲 Clean leaves and needles from roofs and gutters
🌲 Move firewood away from structures

Preparation today can make a difference tomorrow.

Research has shown that homes with well-maintained defensible space are significantly more likely to survive a wildfire than homes surrounded by dense, unmanaged vegetation.

Creating defensible space doesn't mean removing all vegetation, it means managing it strategically to slow the spread of fire and increase your home's chances of survival. For communities like those throughout Whidbey Island, preparing before wildfire season is one of the most effective steps homeowners can take.

06/25/2026

🔥 Wildfire Prevention Takes Teamwork

As wildfire season approaches, we'd like to thank Puget Sound Energy (PSE) for the proactive work they do year-round to help reduce wildfire risk throughout our region.

PSE crews inspect and maintain power lines, trim vegetation near electrical infrastructure, conduct annual inspections of high-risk areas, and upgrade equipment to help prevent wildfires before they start. These efforts often happen behind the scenes but play an important role in keeping our communities safe.

During periods of extreme wildfire risk, PSE may implement Enhanced Powerline Settings (EPS) or, in some cases, a Public Safety Power Shutoff (PSPS) to help prevent wildfire ignitions. While these measures can result in temporary power outages, they are intended to protect lives, property, and natural resources when fire danger is at its highest.

Wildfire preparedness is a shared responsibility, and there are steps everyone can take now to be ready:

✅ Create and practice a household emergency plan
✅ Build or update your emergency kit
✅ Keep your contact information current with PSE
✅ Maintain defensible space around your home
✅ Trim and maintain trees and vegetation on your property
✅ Stay informed during periods of elevated wildfire risk

We appreciate our partners at PSE for their continued commitment to wildfire prevention and community safety. Working together (residents, utility providers, firefighters, and emergency managers) we can help make our community more resilient during wildfire season.

Learn more about PSE's wildfire prevention efforts at www.pse.com/wildfire.

PSE takes a holistic approach to the evolving risk of wildfires by operating and improving our infrastructure to create an electric system that is reliable, resilient, and above all, safe.

06/24/2026

Great information about new e-Bike laws... take a look! 🚴‍♀️

06/24/2026

🔥 Burn Ban Begins July 1, 2026 🔥

The Island County Sheriff's Office has announced that a Type 1 Burn Ban will go into effect at 7:00 AM on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.

A Type 1 Burn Ban prohibits residential outdoor burning, including the burning of yard debris, branches, leaves, and other vegetation.

✅ Recreational fires in approved fire pits are still allowed.
✅ Barbecue grills and camp stoves may continue to be used.

Please remember that the City of Oak Harbor and its Urban Growth Areas are under a permanent Type 1 Burn Ban, meaning residential yard debris burning is prohibited year-round.

With warmer, drier conditions increasing wildfire risk, we encourage everyone to use extra caution with any outdoor flame source and help keep our community safe.

For questions about outdoor burning restrictions, please contact the Health Department at 360-679-7150 or the Northwest Clean Air Agency at www.nwcleanairwa.gov or 360-428-1617.

06/21/2026

Happy Father's Day from Oak Harbor Fire Department!

Today, we celebrate the fathers who answer the call—both at home and in our community.

Being a firefighter often means missing holidays, family gatherings, and special moments while serving others. Yet our firefighter dads continue to demonstrate unwavering commitment to their families and to the residents they protect.

Whether they're helping with homework after a long shift, coaching a youth team, attending school events, or responding to emergencies at all hours of the day and night, they exemplify dedication, sacrifice, and service.

To the fathers of OHFD and all the dads in our community: thank you for the example you set, the support you provide, and the countless ways you make a difference every day.

We wish you a safe, happy, and well-deserved Father's Day.

06/19/2026

Fire Fact Friday: Drowning Happens Quickly and Quietly

Did you know?

Drowning is often silent and can happen in less than a minute.

Whether you're enjoying the beach, lake, pool, or backyard water activities:
💧 Designate a responsible water watcher
💧 Keep young children within arm's reach
💧 Wear a life jacket while boating or paddleboarding
💧 Learn CPR

Water safety starts with constant supervision.

06/19/2026

Office Closure Notice

In observance of Juneteenth, City offices will be closed on Friday, June 19.

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and honors freedom, resilience, and the ongoing pursuit of equality.

While administrative offices will be closed, emergency services remain available 24 hours a day. If you have an emergency, call 911.

We wish everyone a safe and meaningful Juneteenth.

06/13/2026

🎓 Congratulations, Class of 2026! 🎓

The members of Oak Harbor Fire Department would like to congratulate all of the graduates in our community on this important achievement.

Whether you're continuing your education, entering the workforce, serving in the military, or pursuing a new adventure, your hard work, dedication, and perseverance have brought you to this milestone.

As you celebrate this accomplishment, remember that every journey begins with a single step. We are proud of what you have achieved and excited to see the impact you will make in the years ahead.

Congratulations to the graduates of 2026! We wish you success, happiness, and safety as you begin this next chapter.

🎓 Well done, graduates!

🎉 Your community is cheering you on.

06/12/2026

Fire Fact Friday: Grilling Safety

Summer grilling season is here!

Did you know the leading cause of grill fires is failure to clean the grill?

Before your next barbecue:
🔥 Clean grease and fat buildup from grills and trays
🔥 Keep grills at least 10 feet from structures and deck railings
🔥 Never leave a lit grill unattended
🔥 Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away

A little maintenance goes a long way toward a safe summer cookout.