Union County Emergency Services

02/26/2026

✅ UPDATE 2/26/26 3:45 p.m. – SERVICE RESTORED: The 911 system outage has been repaired, and Union County Dispatch is fully operational. Emergency calls are once again being received and processed through the local dispatch center.

Thank you for your patience while this issue was resolved.

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🚨 911 SERVICE NOTICE – TEMPORARY CALL ROUTING IMPACT 🚨

Due to a current outage affecting 911 systems, emergency calls from Union County and other counties are being rerouted through alternate 911 dispatch centers.

Because of this temporary rerouting:
• Call volumes at receiving centers are higher than normal
• Dispatchers may need to ask additional verification questions
• Call processing times may be slightly longer than usual

Please do not hang up if your call takes longer to be answered. Your call will be handled as quickly as possible, and emergency services are still responding.

Technicians are actively working to resolve the issue, and service is expected to be restored as soon as possible.

We appreciate your patience and understanding while this situation is being addressed. Updates will be provided as they become available.

02/12/2026

Union County needs local volunteers!

The Red Cross is seeking community members to help families before, during, and after disasters. No experience needed — just a willingness to serve.

Learn more and sign up at: redcross.org/volunteer
Please share to help spread the word.

10/29/2025

🩸 Union County Blood Drives – Give Blood, Save Lives! 🩸

The American Red Cross will hold several blood drives in Union County over the next two weeks — making it easy to give where you live!

🗓️Upcoming Drives (appointment needed):
• Nov. 5: EOU, Hoke College Center — 11 a.m.–4 p.m.
• Nov. 6: La Grande High School — 8:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
• Nov. 11: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1802 Gekeler Ln — 12–6 p.m.
• Nov. 12: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1802 Gekeler Ln — 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

❤️ Let’s come together, Union County — a single donation may save up to three lives. 💪

👉 Schedule at www.redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS.

Blood donors report feeling a sense of great satisfaction after making their blood donation. Why? Because helping others in need just feels good. Donate blood today to help those in need.

10/19/2025

UPDATE: TRAIN DERAILMENT IN LA GRANDE

This is an update to a previous press release from the morning of on October 18th.

Union Pacific Railroad and local public safety agencies remain at the scene of a train derailment that occurred this morning between Fir and Greenwood Streets in La Grande. Union Pacific Railroad crews have coordinated plans to right the cars and resolve the incident with the La Grande Police and Fire Departments, and specialized railroad equipment is in transit to the scene.
The previously closed railroad crossings at Fir and Greenwood Streets have reopened. These crossings may be temporarily closed for periods of time later today to facilitate movement of railroad equipment.

Railroad and public safety personnel have assessed the three rail cars involved, and there are no indications of structural compromise of the tanks, or leaks of the sulfuric acid they contain. There is currently no hazard to the community. As a precaution for the safety of the public and railroad workers, a 150-foot perimeter is being maintained around the affected rail cars while crews continue work to right the cars.

The public should be aware that other rail traffic will continue to pass through town and by the derailment site during the response and recovery operations.

This is the last planned press release for this incident, but more information will be released as it becomes available if the situation changes from that described above.

Send a message to learn more

10/18/2025

UPDATE: TRAIN DERAILMENT IN LA GRANDE

This is an update to a previous press release distributed at 10:37 AM on October 18th.

Union Pacific Railroad and local public safety agencies remain at the scene of a train derailment that occurred this morning between Fir and Greenwood Streets in La Grande. Union Pacific Railroad crews have coordinated plans to right the cars and resolve the incident with the La Grande Police and Fire Departments, and specialized railroad equipment is in transit to the scene.
The previously closed railroad crossings at Fir and Greenwood Streets have reopened. These crossings may be temporarily closed for periods of time later today to facilitate movement of railroad equipment.

Railroad and public safety personnel have assessed the three rail cars involved, and there are no indications of structural compromise of the tanks, or leaks of the sulfuric acid they contain. There is currently no hazard to the community. As a precaution for the safety of the public and railroad workers, a 150-foot perimeter is being maintained around the affected rail cars while crews continue work to right the cars.

The public should be aware that other rail traffic will continue to pass through town and by the derailment site during the response and recovery operations.

This is the last planned press release for this incident, but more information will be released as it becomes available if the situation changes from that described above.

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Train Derailment in La Grande

The La Grande Fire Department, La Grande Police Department, Union County Emergency Services and Union Pacific Railroad are responding to a train derailment that occurred earlier today in La Grande.
Three rail cars have come off the track. Although the train was carrying hazardous materials, no leaks have been detected at this time, and there is currently no hazard to the community. As a precaution, a 150-foot safety perimeter has been established around the affected rail cars.
The intersections of Fir and Greenwood are closed, as well as the area between those intersections along Greenwood and Madison Avenues. These closures are expected to remain in place for an extended period while cleanup operations are underway. An estimated time of closure is currently not available.
Union Pacific Railroad has dispatched crews to the scene for the righting of the railcars to the track and cleanup as needed. A HazMat team has been notified and will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Citizens should be aware that other rail traffic will continue to pass through town and by the derailment site during the response and recovery operations.
Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
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09/23/2025

🌟 September is National Preparedness Month – Preparedness Starts at Home!

👜 Have you built your emergency kit? Most items you need are already at home—just gather them in one bag, tote, or box.
🥫💧💊 Stock up on food, water & medicine to stay safe and comfortable until help arrives.
📄📱 Don’t forget copies of IDs, insurance, account numbers & important contacts (what if your phone doesn’t work?).
✅ Start your kit today so you’re not scrambling later!
👉 Supply list: https://www.ready.gov/kit

09/20/2025

Union County Fire Season and Public Use Restriction Update
September 20, 2025

Union County remains under regulated fire season guidelines as outlined in County Ordinance 2024-02. Open burning continues to be prohibited, with the exception of regulated agricultural field burning. The use of incinerators and burn barrels is permitted between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m., provided they meet the requirements of the ordinance. Fire pits, fire appliances, and charcoal barbecues are allowed, and recreational campfires are permitted if specific guidelines are followed. These guidelines include containing fires within a rock-lined pit surrounded by dirt, rock, or a commercial fire ring. Combustible materials must be kept at least three feet from the fire ring, and readily combustible materials such as dry grass must be cleared at least ten feet around the fire site. The full ordinance is available on the Union County website at https://unioncountyor.gov/

The Umatilla and Wallowa-Whitman National Forests have announced a reduction in fire danger levels from high to moderate and have rescinded Phase A Public Use Restrictions. Industrial Fire Precaution Level 1 remains in effect, requiring certain precautions to minimize wildfire risk during commercial and industrial operations such as timber harvest or firewood cutting.

The Northeast Oregon Department of Forestry has also reduced fire danger to moderate, although fire season remains in effect for all lands under its protection.

The Union County burn line at 541-963-4040 remains out of service until further notice. For up-to-date information, residents are encouraged to visit the Union County website at https://unioncountyor.gov/ and the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center website at https://bmidc.org/

Fire officials remind the public to remain cautious with all activities that could potentially spark a fire and appreciate the continued cooperation in preventing wildfires.

09/12/2025

🔔 Update – 09/13/2025 - 18:30 - Strapping Fire

Fire officials have reported that the Strapping Fire is now contained.

We extend our thanks to the responding agencies and firefighters for their quick action, and to the public for their cooperation.

🔔 Update – 9/12/2025 -16:10 - Strapping Fire

Crews are shuttling water to the fire area. The fire is lined, and crews are currently engaged in mop-up operations.

🔔 Update – 09/12/2025 - 13:10 - Strapping Fire

The wildfire on the east slope of Mt. Emily above Hacker Lane has been named the Strapping Fire. Rappellers have been dropped into the area near the fire. Additionally, ground crews have created ATV access to bring in additional resources.

🔥 Fire Start – East Slope of Mt. Emily

A wildfire has been reported on the east slope of Mt. Emily above Hacker Lane on BLM land. Fire officials are aware of the situation, and crews are actively working to gain access to the fire.

📞 911 dispatch is receiving multiple calls regarding this incident. Please be advised that officials are aware of the incident.L

09/10/2025

UPDATE - 9/10/2025 4:30 p.m. - Normal operations have resumed for Union County 911. Please call 911 only for emergencies and use non-emergency numbers when appropriate.

🚨 911 Service Alert – Union County 🚨

Union County 911 is currently experiencing network issues that have temporarily reduced call capacity.

If you have an emergency and dial 911 but the call does not connect, please call 541-963-1017.

Only call 911 to report an actual emergency. For non-emergency calls, please call 541-963-1017.

911 issues are being experienced throughout the region. The State of Oregon and 911 are actively working to resolve the issue.

09/09/2025

The fire area is now considered safe for public access and the Closure Order has been lifted.

‼️Marley Fire Update and Closure Order Lifted in La Grande Ranger District‼️
September 8th, 2025
Size: 45 acres
Location: 19 miles SW of La Grande, OR
Start Date: Sep. 2, 2025
Containment: 85%
Cause: Lightning

As of September 8th, 2025, The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has rescinded the Marley Fire area closure, reopening all roads, trails and recreation sites previously restricted under Forest Order 06-16-06-25-00. Firefighter and heavy equipment traffic will continue in the area, please drive with caution when driving on Forest Service Road (FSR) 5155 to the intersection of FSR 5160.

Fire crews have strengthened containment lines and are continuing to mop-up along the Marley fire perimeter up to 100 feet to extinguish any remaining residual heat. The fire area is now considered safe for public access and the closure order was lifted. The Pickle and Swan fires are now controlled, meaning that the fires are no longer spreading and demonstrate no threat to established control lines.

With the Marely fire now at a lower complexity, the Northeast Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team will transfer the command of the Marley Fire back to the La Grande Ranger District tomorrow. Local crews will continue on-site patrols and complete fire area rehabilitation.

Visitors are reminded to use caution when entering the fire area. Recently burned landscapes may still contain hazards such as weakened trees and loose material on slopes. Please drive carefully and watch for firefighters and equipment that may still be working in the area.

The Forest Service thanks visitors for their patience and cooperation during the closure, as well as the firefighters and partner agencies who supported the Marley Fire response.

09/07/2025

With 60% containment, firefighters on the Marley Fire are focused on mop-up, patrolling the perimeter, and working up to 100 feet inside the fire area to find and extinguish smoldering material.