Douglas County Fire District No. 2

News & Events

Douglas County Fire District No.2 Outdoor Burn Ban Goes Into Effect

Effective Sunday, July 1, 2012 at 01:00 a.m. and until further notice, all open burning is prohibited within the service area of Douglas County Fire District No.2 , including the communities of Dixonville, Green, Melrose, Winchester, Wilbur, Garden Valley, Umpqua and Calapooia; the City of Sutherlin; and unincorporated areas of the City of Roseburg. The ban aims to reduce the incidence of hostile fires resulting from open burns escaping control. The restrictions will extend until cooler temperatures and/or a season-ending “Fall” rain event occurs earlier in October that minimizes fire danger.

The burn ban includes the following:

  • Back yard burning (including burn barrels).
  • Land clearing or slash burning (not associated with Douglas Forest Protective Association or Department of Environmental Quality permitted burns).
  • Agricultural burning (not associated with Douglas Forest Protective Association or Oregon Department of Agriculture permitted burns).

The burn ban does not include the following:

  • Barbecues or outdoor fire places (i.e., chimneys, burning urns, decorating fire pits, etc.). No permit is required to burn in these appliances.
  • Recreational burning (i.e., cooking fires, back yard pits) on designated sites or with a permit issued by Douglas County Fire District No.2.
  • Ceremonial burning (i.e., small fires used for religious or ceremonial purposes) with a permit issued by Douglas County Fire District No.2.

Individuals found to be burning in violation of the burn ban restrictions may be issued a citation and/or found liable for any property loss. Additionally, during the burn ban all unlawful outdoor fires are deemed a hazard to public safety and will result in a Douglas County Fire District No.2 response, extinguishment, and invoicing of cost recovery fees for actions taken.

Out of Control Burn Threatens Residence

A burn pile of yard debris left burning on the back yard of a residence caused one alarm natural cover fire in Wilbur yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, June 20th). Although the fire damage was limited to the grass and some shrubs, its rapid spread due to the predominant northeast wind posed a serious threat to the residence at 8270 Old Highway 99 North.

The fire was reported at 02:41 p.m. by neighbors, as well as the occupant of the property. 12 fire fighters with 1 fire engine, 2 brush engines and 3 command vehicles from the Winchester, Garden Valley, and Sutherlin Stations arrived on scene at 02:47 p.m. (5 minutes later), and declared the fire under control at 02:48 p.m. (1 minute after their arrival). Fire damage to the residence was avoided largely by the actions of the occupant of the home, neighbors, and a Good Samaritan – Byron Case, who with garden hoses kept the advance of the fire on check until the arrival of fire crews.

Fire investigators determined that the fire most likely started when smoldering ambers on a small burn pile were fanned the afternoon wind and ignited the grass around the burn pile.

DCFD2 strongly advises residents to follow these safety tips closely to avoid fires such as this:

  • Have a garden hose connected to a water supply or other fire extinguishing equipment (5 gallon bucket of water, shovels, water fire extinguisher) readily available next to the burn site.
  • All ground must be cleared at least 10 feet around burning piles down to mineral soil from grass, weeds and other materials to prevent the unwanted propagation of the fire across them.
  • All outdoor fires shall be constantly attended until the fire is extinguished. The attendant shall have line-of-sight view of the fire, and reliable communications available to summons assistance if needed.

Permit holders shall adhere to the safety instructions and stipulations of the permit at all times; and shall cease burning when conditions develop that can cause the fire to spread (i.e.; wind, blowing brands or embers).

Out of Control Burns Keep DCFD2 Firefighters Busy

The second fire was reported at 05:34 p.m. at 131 Laguna Court in Green. Property owner Bradley Matthews was burning pine needles along side his driveway when the wind blew burning debris into nearby brush causing it to catch on fire. Responding fire crews where at the scene (5 minutes later) and extinguished the fire, which was declared under control at 05:45 p.m. (5 minutes later). A total of 5 firefighters with 2 fire engines and 1 command vehicle responded to this fire.

In both these fires the property owners violated several of the safety provisions that are part of the residential burn permits issued to home owners for the burning of yard debris and placed their property and that of their neighbors at risk.

DCFD2 would like to remind district residents the following:

  • As directed by Oregon Revised Statutes and the Oregon Fire Code a permit is required for the kindling or maintaining of an open fire or a fire on any public street, alley, road, or other public or private ground.
  • Permit holders shall adhere to the safety instructions and stipulations of the permit at all times; and shall cease burning when conditions develop that can cause the fire to spread (i.e.; wind, blowing brands or embers).
  • Persons burning in violation of the permit, or whose fires become a threat to public safety are subject to criminal or civil liability for damages arising from burning occurring under their control. Violations of the burning requirements will result in the issuing of citations and invoicing of cost recovery fees for suppression actions taken.

“We would like to encourage property owners that have residential burn permits to burn responsibly. Failing to do so is a reckless disregard to safety and places every one at risk unnecessarily” said Fire Marshal Josep Pedrola

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Fire District No. 2 Purchases New “Jaws of Life” with grant from the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians

Douglas County Fire District No. 2 purchased a new Holmatro hydraulic extrication tool “Jaws of Life” with $ 50,000 of funding provided by the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Tribe of Indians. The new tool and accessories will be used to replace an existing unit which is nearly 20 years old. The tools purchased include: New spreaders, cutters, rams, hydraulic pumps, mini cutters used to cut foot pedals or in other tight locations, struts to stabilize vehicles on their side, cribbing, and sawsalls.

The new extrication tools are designed to cut the high tensile strength steel being used in modern vehicles. Modern vehicles utilize lighter weight steel and alloys that are four times as difficult to cut as cars made in the 90’s. The District’s current cutter generates 58,000 pounds of force and the new cutter generates 208,000 pounds of force. In addition to the ability to cut quickly through metal used in modern cars, the cutter also has a much larger opening allowing firefighters to make one cut instead of two or three.

Another advantage of the new system is the lightweight and portability of the hydraulic pump. The current hydraulic pump is mounted in a fire engine and has fixed cord reels. The new system utilizes lightweight portable pumps that can be carried over the bank or to remote locations. Two pumps were purchased including one capable of running two tools at once and a smaller pump capable of running one tool. This combination will allow firefighters to operate three tools at one time which will speed extrication of people who are entrapped as a result of motor vehicle accidents.


Firefighters appreciate the generous donation by the Cow Creek Band of the Umpqua Band of Indians. Battalion Chief Rob Bullock said, “When people are trapped in a car accident every second counts. These tools will save lives”.

Structure Fire Damages Sutherlin Home

Douglas County Fire District No. 2 responded to a reported structure fire at 401 N. Comstock #19 in Sutherlin Sunday morning.  Firefighters received the call at 10:58 hrs. and arrived on scene at 11:03 hrs.  Firefighters arrived to find a single wide manufactured home over 70% involved with fire and threatening adjacent homes and fences.  Firefighters quickly extinguished the fire which completely destroyed the home and contents.
 

The home was occupied by Tiffany Curley who was home at the time of the fire with her small child. Curley reported seeing a fire in her bedroom which spread quickly to the rest of the home.

 
Fire District No. 2 responded with two engines and one command unit and 18 firefighters.  Fire District No. 2 received assistance with a fire engine and four personnel from Oakland Rural Fire Protection District, and one Chief Officer from the City of Roseburg.  Pacific Power and Avista Utilities also responded to the scene.  A total of 23 personnel responded to the fire.  Battalion Chief Roger Johnson said, “We had a great turnout of paid and volunteer firefighters respond to the scene”.  Fire District No. 2 utilizes a combination of on duty paid firefighter paramedics, off duty paid personnel, volunteer firefighters, and mutual and automatic aid from other agencies in the Sutherlin area.  Fire District No. 2 also utilizes CERT (community emergency response team) volunteers to provide support for firefighters and victims at emergency incidents.

Douglas County Fire District No.2 Investigators have determined that the most probable cause of Sunday’s fire was combustible materials to close to a space heater.  The fire is believed to have started in the back bedroom of the single wide mobile home.  The space heater that caused the fire was inadvertently left on by the home owners.  DCFD2 would like to remind the public that all bedding, clothing, furniture, and other combustible materials should be kept at least three feet away from heat sources like space heaters, stoves or fire places.  Homeowners are also encouraged to make sure ensure everyone in the home can escape a fire by having working smoke alarms on every bedroom, hallways, and other common areas of their homes, and a well known and practiced escape plan for the whole family.

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Fire Danger Low

BURNING ALLOWED effective OCTOBER 9th, 2023 at 12:01PM

For Burn Information, Click HERE

Additional Information can be found at DFPA

Upcoming Meetings

DCFD#2 Board Meeting

Date: Monday, March 18th, 2024

Time: 5:30PM

Location: Winston Dillard Fire Station. 250 SE Main Street in Winston, OR. Members of the public may also participate via videoconference or telephone. Call (541) 673-5503 for more information. 

Central Douglas Fire & Rescue Authority Board Meeting

Date: Monday, March 18th, 2024

Time: 5:30PM

Location: Winston Dillard Fire Station. 250 SE Main Street in Winston, OR. 

Medcom Meeting

Date: Thursday, March 21st, 2024

Time: 12:00PM

Location: Umpqua Valley Ambulance                                    1290 NE Cedar St