Union Rural Fire Protection District

10/04/2026

Quiet Sunday? Not today!

We started by responding to support City of La Grande Fire Department with a structure fire, but then quickly got diverted to a medical emergency, transporting a patient, and finally returned to the fire scene to support firefighting efforts! Phew!

Great job by La Grande Rural Fire Protection District, Imbler Rural Fire Department responding and assisting as well!

09/11/2026

URFPD honors all first responders for the sacrifices made in the efforts to protect and save lives. The 9/11 tragedy exemplifies the first responders commitment to their communities. We will never forget the men and women that made the ultimate sacrifice on that fateful day.

08/18/2026

If ya heard a helicopter in town this evening, that was us... Life Flight Network came in to train with us. Loading patients into a running helicopter is a skill that all first responders need.

Thank you to Life Flight for helping us practice!

08/08/2026

Grassroots Fest is in session! We are cooling people down all day!

07/16/2026

All Union County resources deployed to the Lower Dry Creek Fire near Milton-Freewater have returned to their stations. After a productive night of protecting homes and property with minimal hot spot growth, the resources were demobilized early this morning, and the personnel have returned home to rest.

City of La Grande Fire Department
Cove Rural Fire Protection District
La Grande Rural Fire Protection District
Imbler Rural Fire Department

07/16/2026

Brush 87 is currently enroute to the Lower Dry Creek Fire in Umatilla country as part of a Union County Task Force.

07/15/2026

REMINDER! Burn ban is in effect across the entire county. So much of the vegetation is dry enough that if you look at it, it might catch fire!

Please don't create work for us, it's hot out!

Union County Implements Countywide Burn Ban Effective Immediately

The Union County Board of Commissioners voted during this morning's commission meeting to implement a countywide burn ban, effective immediately, following a unanimous recommendation from the Union County Fire Defense Board.

Under Union County Ordinance 2024-02, the Board of Commissioners may prohibit outdoor burning in all areas outside incorporated cities upon recommendation of the Fire Defense Board. Under a complete burn ban, all outdoor burning is prohibited except regulated agricultural field burning and the use of gas or pellet barbecues.

Emergency Manager Nick Vora said wildfire conditions in Union County have reached a dangerous level due to below-normal snowfall last winter and a dry spring that brought very little precipitation. Vegetation and forest fuels are exceptionally dry, and forecasts call for continued hot, dry weather. If a wildfire starts under these conditions, it is expected to spread more rapidly and burn with greater intensity than under typical conditions. With conditions this dry, a single spark could quickly ignite a fast-moving wildfire. At the same time, with several wildfires burning throughout the region, firefighting resources may be limited should a wildfire occur in Union County.

In addition to the county burn ban, forest officials have increased public use restrictions on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests because of extreme fire danger, the risk of human-caused fires, and public safety concerns. These restrictions prohibit campfires, fireworks, open burning, smoking, and off-road or off-trail vehicle travel. Additional information regarding forest restrictions is available at www.bmidc.org.

The burn ban was implemented due to continued hot, dry weather, critically dry fuels, heightened public safety concerns, and the potential for limited firefighting resources should a wildfire occur.
Union County Ordinance 2024-02 is available on the county website at www.unioncountyor.gov.

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07/05/2026

Celebrate 250 years of freedom!

06/25/2026

This afternoon La Grande Rural Fire Protection District called for backup because a wildland fire off Mcalister Lane was like 'hey, let's get this party started' due to super dry conditions and crazy winds. Brush 87 and Tender 85 showed up to join the party and put out the flames.

Summer is here, folks! It's getting hot and it's getting DRY, so you know what that means... time to bust out the lawnmower and water guns, and for goodness' sake, keep anything that sparks near some water, not dry brush and tall weeds.

06/17/2026

Yesterday was a busy day for URPFD! Medical assistance call in the morning, mutual aid wildland call in the afternoon and a trauma call in the evening that resulted in a Life Flight Network landing in town to take the patient to a higher level of care. The volunteers of URPFD rose to the task and responded.

The last couple of weeks have been busy. With the heat and dry conditions, it's expected to be busy for sometime.

Be careful, stay hydrated and stay safe!