Oakridge Fire & EMS

05/02/2026

HAPPENING NOW!

Free Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Roundup is TODAY, Oakridge on Saturday, May 2, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Oakridge Fire Station (47592 Highway 58).

Residents can safely dispose of items like paint, cleaners, lawn chemicals, and pesticides.

*For other times, Lane County accepts HHW by appointment at their Hazardous Waste Collection Center in Glenwood.

04/04/2026

And we’re off to the Easter Egg Hunts!!! Both Oakridge and Westfi start at 10AM SHARP!!

04/01/2026

We’ve been drafting at Greenwaters Park!

Our firefighters have been learning to draft from alternative water sources m, such as utilizing the river at the park. In rural or remote areas, where there are no municipal water systems, we draft water to create a continuous, high-volume water supply from static sources—like ponds, lakes, rivers, or portable tanks—when fire hydrants are unavailable, broken, or lack adequate pressure. This technique, which uses suction to lift water, is essential for rural firefighting, supplying necessary water to fight fires where infrastructure is missing. While fire engines carry limited water (usually 500–1,500 gallons), drafting allows for an endless, uninterrupted supply.

03/30/2026

🔁 Reminder: Planned Burning Northeast of Oakridge (Week of 3/30)
You may see smoke from town and Highway 58.

🌲 Why prescribed fire?
Removes large concentrations of fuels that can intensify wildfires
Reduces the threat of future fires
Supports healthy, resilient forests

✅ Safety is the top priority
Test fires will be conducted before full ignition
Handlines, road prep, hose lays, and staff will be in place
Daily monitoring continues until smoke levels are safe

📌 Expect some lingering smoke even after ignition.

🌬️ Tips for residents to reduce smoke exposure:
• Spend less time outdoors, especially during smoky periods
• Keep windows and doors closed; set AC to recirculate
• Use HEPA air purifiers or DIY box fan filters if available
• If you have asthma or other conditions, follow your healthcare provider’s advice

📊 Track air quality
You can monitor local conditions anytime by visiting the Oakridge Air website.

🚨 Free Air Purifiers Available
If you live in Oakridge or Westfir and haven’t received a free air purifier yet, we still have some available—call us at (541) 782-3422 to get yours!

03/19/2026

Heads up, folks! You may notice smoke coming from the Westoak Road area today and tomorrow (March 19–20).

Inbound is conducting planned pile burning as part of ongoing wildfire risk reduction work. These are controlled, permitted burns, but smoke may be visible from town.

Thanks for your understanding as we work to keep our community and forests safer 🔥🌲

03/19/2026

Last night’s training was in partnership Life Flight (air ambulance) at the Oakridge Airport.

This annual training focused on landing zone safety, helicopter operations, patient loading, and emergency communication. These trainings ensure ground crews can secure a safe area, manage obstacles, and properly coordinate with flight crews, providing hands-on experience for firefighters and EMTs in scene management. This year’s training was particularly special with our High School cadets participating in these critical and lifesaving skills!

Special thanks to the Life Flight team!

03/13/2026

** Highway RE-OPEN
⚠️ HWY 58 closed at mp 23 for a landslide.
ODOT on scene cleaning debris.

01/25/2026

On Friday, we honored the life of Firefighter/Paramedic Jeremiah Frenz. He was a friend to many, a cherished loved one to his family, a brother to us at Local 851 and to the brothers and sisters of Local 452, and beloved by all who had the honor of knowing him. As his final tones rang out and the solemn notes of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes faded, we reflected on the life of an incredible man taken from us far too soon. As a final tribute, current and former members of Local 851 gathered for a photo — capturing a little extra light after a day that felt a bit dimmer. Keep that sun shining and rest easy, brother.

01/15/2026

The weather pattern across the PNW is creating stagnant air across Oakridge & Westfir

Because of these conditions, a yellow day burn advisory is effective today at 4:00 PM through tomorrow at 4:00 PM ⏰

Woodsmoke impacts the health of everyone in our community!

Check out these Home Wood Heating best practices to help reduce smoke impacts 🔥🏡:
https://bit.ly/33GY5sd

12/20/2025

Forest Service Road 19, also known as Aufderheide Road, is currently blocked with multiple down trees starting at milepost 10.7 on the Middle Fork Ranger District.

Be aware that additional trees may be down across the road along the Cedar Creek Fire burn scar. Visitors cannot pass from McKenzie River to Oakridge. Crews will work as quickly and safely as possible to clear the road and restore access.

Please maintain awareness when traveling on all Forest Service Roads during periods of inclement weather.

Tips for how to stay safe while visiting the Willamette National Forest are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/willamette/safety-ethics.

12/18/2025