La Grande Rural Fire Protection District

05/28/2026

If you haven’t noticed somehow, we’re getting a lot of weather activity in our area this evening. Please take appropriate precautions as needed.

⚠️ Severe Thunderstorm Watch ⚠️
Severity: Severe
Significant threat to life or property
Weather Event Onset
3:21 PM (PDT), May 28
Description
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 248 REMAINS VALID UNTIL 8 PM PDT THIS EVENING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS

IN OREGON THIS WATCH INCLUDES 12 COUNTIES

IN CENTRAL OREGON

CROOK DESCHUTES GILLIAM JEFFERSON SHERMAN

IN NORTHEAST OREGON

GRANT MORROW UMATILLA UNION WALLOWA WHEELER

IN NORTHWEST OREGON

WASCO

THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ARLINGTON, ATHENA, BEND, BOARDMAN, BROTHERS, CONDON, CULVER, DAYVILLE, ELGIN, ENTERPRISE, FOSSIL, GRASS VALLEY, HELIX, HEPPNER, HERMISTON, IONE, IRRIGON, JOHN DAY, JOSEPH, LA GRANDE, LA PINE, LEXINGTON, LONEROCK, LONG CREEK, LOSTINE, MADRAS, MAUPIN, MILTON-FREEWATER, MITCHELL, MONUMENT, MORO, NORTH POWDER, PAULINA, PENDLETON, PILOT ROCK, POST, PRINEVILLE, REDMOND, SENECA, SHANIKO, SISTERS, SPRAY, STANFIELD, SUNRIVER, THE DALLES, TROY, TYGH VALLEY, UKIAH, UMATILLA, UNION, WALLOWA..IMNAHA, WARM SPRINGS, AND WASCO.

05/28/2026

Wednesday night drill…getting some practice in for field fires!

Interested in checking us out? Reach out to [email protected]

05/27/2026

We may have gotten a little precipitation lately but our fuels are still extremely dry for this early in the season. Please burn responsibly!

🔥 Union County Fire Officials Recommend Early Entry Into Regulated Fire Season

Due to increasingly dry conditions throughout the county, the Union County Fire Defense Board will recommend that the Union County Board of Commissioners enter into an early regulated fire season during the June 3, 2026 Commission meeting. The Fire Defense Board is comprised of county fire chiefs and other officials from throughout Union County.

Fire officials report that this spring has experienced warmer-than-normal weather conditions, contributing to rapidly drying fuels across the county. Based on these observed conditions, fire danger is currently higher in many areas than is typical for this time of year. Although weather forecasted this week is expected to bring some cooling temperatures and moisture to the region, officials state it will not be enough to significantly improve the overall dry conditions.

Individuals interested in conducting open burning prior to the anticipated early entry into fire season are reminded to use extreme caution. Burn conditions, updated daily, are available by calling 541-963-4040 or online at https://unioncountyor.gov/smoke-management/. Individuals conducting open burning must have a printed or digital copy of the Union County Burn Ordinance 2024-02. A copy of the ordinance in your possession serves as your burn permit.

Residents are encouraged to use caution with any activity that could spark a fire and to remain aware of current and changing fire conditions throughout the county.

https://unioncountyor.gov/fire-defense-board-to-recommend-early-entry-into-regulated-fire-season/

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we salute those who served, are serving, and will serve. Especially those who never made it home. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.

🫡

05/23/2026

As we go into Memorial Day Weekend, we’re wrapping up EMS week. We’d like to give special attention to our volunteers who make the extra commitment to learn and keep up their medical skills in order to serve you, their community better.
We’re hoping you won’t need us, but if you do, we’re here for you!

https://emsweek.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-EMS-Week-1.0a.m4v

05/22/2026

May is in Oregon! We're asking everyone to take one simple action to reduce the risk of your home being damaged or destroyed by a wildfire.

It's the drifting embers from a wildfire that ignite a home. Reducing the things that could catch on fire within the first five feet can greatly improve wildfire resilience.

Take it one project at a time to build legendary protection.

LEARN MORE: https://preventwildfires.oregon.gov

05/22/2026

Your LGRFPD volunteers had a busy day today! Starting off the events was a fire station tour for a group of eager elementary students who were excited to see all the bells and whistles (all future firefighters now, sorry Union County Sheriff's Office).
We had to end the tour in a mighty hurry and gave quite the show for the kids, with a call coming in for a truck fire near the Island Market. Fortunately for all, a nearby OSP Trooper and the truck driver were able to successfully deploy fire extinguishers 🧯 keeping the fire from spreading from the engine compartment (didn’t we just talk about everyone wanting to be a firefighter?!).

Next we ran back-to-back medical calls in Island City and stood-by for another rural district that was short-staffed. Finally, we got called to assist with a medical emergency on the interstate, for which we ended up getting canceled.

A couple of our members wrapped up the evening with EMS training at City of La Grande Fire Department.

We’re glad to have a dedicated group of volunteers ready to help their community!

👍👨🏽‍🚒👩🏽‍🚒

05/18/2026

Strong work by our volunteers the other night. We’re grateful for a good partnership with City of La Grande Fire Department

05/17/2026

LGRFD WELCOMES BRADY WALTERS AS CHIEF - MEET AND GREET JUNE 9

Following a nationwide recruitment effort and intensive screening and assessment process, Brady Walters has been named as the new chief of the La Grande Rural Fire Protection District.

Originally from Medford, Chief Walters began his emergency services career in 2005 as an Explorer and EMT with Mercy Flights Ambulance and as a volunteer ski patroller and firefighter in Southern Oregon. He graduated from the paramedic program at Chemeketa Community College while working as a student firefighter for Marion County, where he was later promoted to Resident Lieutenant overseeing a fire station. A significant part of his early career was 12 years working for the National Park Service (NPS) in law enforcement and emergency services. Brady was stationed in parks across the country, including the Grand Canyon, Hawaii, and finally Crater Lake here in Oregon. As a U.S. Park Ranger, he completed an intensive training program at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, GA. Over his career with the NPS, Walters served as Emergency Medical Services Coordinator, Volunteer Ski Patrol Director, a Law Enforcement & Emergency Services Instructor, Fire Engineer, Search & Rescue Technician, Acting Operations Supervisor, and Field Training Coach.

Due to the strict residence requirements placed on rangers, Brady left the NPS in 2020 and began working for the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office. While working as a Patrol Deputy, he developed and implemented a dual-role Paramedic-Deputy program, allowing him to carry rescue gear and provide first response to critical medical emergencies or tactical situations. Additionally, Brady served as a Search & Rescue Coordinator and Cadet Program Advisor. During this time he wanted to keep his fire skills sharp, so he joined Polk County Fire District #1 as a volunteer, rapidly making his way up the ranks to Engineer, Lieutenant, and finally Captain.

Brady decided to make a career change out of law enforcement and pursue a leadership role in the fire service, as the Deputy Chief and Training Officer for Hoskins-Kings Valley Fire District, a primarily volunteer rural fire protection district in the Corvallis area. At HKV, Chief Walters made significant improvements to operations and the training program leading to increased volunteer involvement, safety and efficiency.

Brady, his wife Jena, and their two dogs are excited to move to La Grande and begin a new chapter. They both look forward to getting to know the community, developing friendships, and exploring the beautiful surroundings.

Brady has a passion for volunteerism and is committed to an inclusive and supportive culture within the department. Brady’s goals as Fire Chief include:
• A mission-driven mindset
• Safety and accountability to our community
• Fiscally responsible and transparent management

Chief Walters is very grateful for this opportunity and for the support of the many people who have made this transition possible. He would love to meet with community members to discuss any ideas or concerns you may have.

He will be holding a Coffee with the Chief event on Tuesday June 9 from 10:00-11:00am (location TBD), or feel free to stop by the station and say hello during business hours.