One person dead in Winston apartment fire

Officials report that a person died in an apartment fire Saturday morning in Winston, Douglas County Fire District No. 2 said. The fire occurred at the Blue Ridge Apartments at 100 SW Hart Avenue. "Firefighters got a quick initial knockdown of the fire and conducted a primary search finding the subject deceased," DCFD2 said. The incident was supported by Winston-Dillard Fire District, Douglas County Fire District No. 2, Roseburg Fire Department, and Lookingglass Fire Department with 23 firefighters, 6 fire engines, 1 ladder truck, and 3 command staff. The deceased has not been identified.
KVAL-TV CBS 13 Eugene

Pilot injured in ultralight plane crash at Scappoose Airport

The pilot of an ultralight aircraft was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries after crashing just outside of the Scappoose Airport on Saturday morning. One Scappoose Rural Fire Protection District engine and one ambulance responded to the scene on June 3 just after 7:30 a.m. Because the crash site was not easily accessible by road, responding firefighters ultimately used a “Rapid Extrication Module” offroad vehicle to reach the patient and drive them to a waiting ambulance. “First arriving units found an ultralight aircraft down just east of the airport outside the airpark fence,” the Scappoose Rural Fire Protection District said. The pilot is believed to have been the plane’s sole occupant at the time of the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the cause of the crash.
KOIN-TV NBC 6 Portland

Firefighters respond to an RV fire at Thousand Trails RV Resort near La Pine

PHOTO: La Pine Rural Fire Protection District responded to a report of an RV Fire at Thousand Trails RV Resort Saturday evening. When crews arrived, the RV was fully engulfed which had spread to grass and halfway up nearby trees. The first arriving La Pine unit with one member on board was able to slow the progress of the wildland fire while awaiting other units to finish extinguishment of the RV. These actions helped save many other RV’s and campers in its path. A USFS crew responded and put out 5 small spot fires ahead of the main fire. Occupants of the motorhome were able to evacuate with their two dogs safely before it was consumed with flames. They reported the fire after noticing the power went out and smelling smoke. The RV was a complete loss. Red Cross was contacted, and no injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Central Oregon Daily News

$6M grant helps state agencies prep for wildfire season

As wildfire season approaches, the Oregon State Fire Marshal has allocated $6 million in grants to help fire agencies hire more employees when they’ll need them most. OSFM announced that 185 fire agencies across the state received up to $35,000 from the 2023 Wildfire Season Staffing Grant. “The OSFM staffing grant has turned what has been a long-term vision and goal for McKenzie Fire and Rescue into a reality,” Chief Darren Bucich said in a release. “Additional staffing will help us build on our ability to provide consistent alarm response, timely auto and mutual aid response, and the ability to continue to be a part of conflagrations.” According to officials, this is the second-consecutive year that the grant has been offered to fire agencies.
KOIN-TV NBC 6 Portland

Thunder Mountain Fire near Glide lined and plumbed

Around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, crews from Glide Rural Fire Protection District and Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) responded to an estimated 2–3-acre fire located in slash and timber, about 9 miles southeast of Glide in the Thunder Mountain area. Fire suppression responders engaged in an initial attack with a tender, dozer, and several engines as additional resources were en route. The spread of the fire was stopped thanks to the successful and aggressive initial attack of responding firefighters, DFPA said. 80% of the fire had been lined and plumbed Wednesday evening and was expected to be 100% no later than midnight.
KVAL-TV CBS 13 Eugene

Related: Douglas High students tour DFPA shop, learn history and fire prevention

After fighting the Thunder Mountain Fire until 1 a.m., key players of the Douglas Forest Protective Association still showed up early Thursday morning to prep headquarters, talk about DFPA history and fire prevention, and provide a guided tour through their shop and heavy equipment for students of Douglas High School. "As first responders, we know things will change quickly and rallying to problem solve as a team is what we do best," DFPA said. "Very proud and thankful to everyone that came together to still make today's field trip happen!" Teaching local youth about fire prevention is key to helping prevent human-caused fires, DFPA said. "Unfortunately, 85% of fires throughout the state of Oregon are caused by humans every year and we believe that knowledge is power," DFPA said on social media. "Together, we can #keeporegongreen."
KVAL-TV CBS 13 Eugene

Hillsboro heart attack survivor reunites with his rescuers

Nearly two months after suffering a major heart attack, one Hillsboro man has a second chance at life. On Thursday, he got the chance to thank the first responders who saved his life. “I’m just so grateful to all of you for helping me have this second stage in life,” said Sean Walkenhorst. It was a heart-warming reunion as Walkenhorst met the first responders who saved his life for the first time since his heart attack. “This came as a shock,” he said. “I never had any previous issues or problems.” On April 5, Walkenhorst, 50, had come home from playing basketball when he went into cardiac arrest. “And then I guess as my wife came up the stairs, I called out -- I was more told than remember -- but I said, ‘April, call 911.’ And then a few seconds later, I lost consciousness and fell off the bed.”
KATU-TV ABC 2 Portland