Union County Sheriff's Office

06/05/2026

Happy National Donut Day!

06/05/2026

These super sweet pups were turned in to our front counter this morning. They originally came from the area of Russell Avenue. They are headed to Blue Mountain Humane Association La Grande Oregon (after many pets from our office). If you’re the owner, call the shelter to claim them.

06/05/2026

UCSO Deputy Jensen and K9 Molly assisted in this arrest. We're glad this came to a positive conclusion.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – WHEELER COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

June 5th, 2026

Fossil, Ore. – Following a multiple-day operation, Ethan Burlingame was successfully taken into custody by the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office on warrants and additional crimes.

Late on June 4th, 2026, Firefighters saw suspicious lights in the hills north of Fossil. Drone assets from the Yamhill and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Offices were able to identify multiple power poles that were on fire. Fire crews from the Fossil Volunteer Fire Department, Wheeler Fire and Rescue, and Oregon Department of Forestry responded to deal with the fire.

In the meantime, Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office and multiple Law Enforcement officers from the Oregon State Police, Union, Yamhill and Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI conducted a join tactical operation as Lieutenant Calloway of the Oregon State Police was in contact with Burlingame by phone and was able to convince him to surrender peacefully. Burlingame was taken into custody without incident by Sheriff Jeremiah Holmes and later lodged at NORCOR in The Dalles.

The Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office and community of Fossil are grateful for the assistance received from around the state in locating and apprehending the suspect. In addition to those mentioned above, assistance was received from the Sheriff’s Offices of Gilliam, Grant, Hood River, Jefferson, Union, Wasco, and Yamhill counties, the Oregon State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Thanks also to the Oregon State Sheriff’s Association and to the many Sheriff’s who reached out with offers of additional resources.

The investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information that may aid in the investigation and piecing together Burlingame’s movements and activities over the last few days is encouraged to contact the Wheeler County Sheriff's Office at 541-763-4101 or Dispatch at 541-384-2080.

06/04/2026

From Union County Emergency Services:
At the June 3, 2026 Commission meeting, the Union County Board of Commissioners approved a request from the Union County Fire Defense Board to enter into regulated use fire season effective immediately. The regulated use fire season will remain in effect through September 30, 2026, unless extended or modified.
During regulated use fire season, open burning is prohibited except for regulated agricultural field burning and authorized prescribed fires.
Residents are encouraged to review the requirements of Union County Burn Ordinance 2024-02 and exercise caution with any activity that could spark a fire.
Key regulations in Ordinance 2024-02 include:
• Burn barrel use is allowed only between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.
• Burn barrels must be located in cleared areas with a 10-foot radius free of flammable material and at least 25 feet from any structure.
• Burn barrels must be equipped with a heavy metal screen and attended at all times with water and a shovel immediately available.
• Burning is prohibited on windy days.
• Recreational fires are permitted only in approved fire rings less than six feet in diameter and must be constantly attended until fully extinguished.
• Oregon Department of Forestry permit requirements apply in ODF-protected areas.

Should extreme fire danger develop, the Union County Board of Commissioners may enact additional restrictions, including a complete ban on outdoor fires outside incorporated cities, upon recommendation of the Union County Fire Defense Board.
In addition, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will enter fire season on June 8, 2026 and implement fire season restrictions on lands protected by ODF. These restrictions apply to ODF-protected lands in Union, Baker, Wallowa, Umatilla, and parts of Malheur, Morrow, and Grant counties.
Current fire information is available from the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center at www.bmidc.org.
To report a fire: Call (541) 963-7171 or dial 9-1-1.

05/27/2026

From Union County Emergency Services:
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.
For questions regarding burn permits or fire season restrictions, contact Union County at 541-963-1001 or view online at https://unioncountyor.gov/.

Union County Smoke Management 2024-02 Union County Burn Ordinance 2001-04 Union County Agricultural Field Burn Ordinance Click here for Burn Conditions Air Quality: Oregon Department of Environmental Quality - Oregon Air Quality Fire Restrictions: Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center - Fire Res...

05/27/2026

That’s a wrap on our BEST program for this year. Our School Resource deputies have been teaching 5th-grade students in our area about how to handle peer pressure. They are taught the importance of setting short-term and long-term goals for themselves, as well as the dangers of drugs and alcohol. The curriculum is a combined effort with our SROs and the schools. Congratulations to the students who completed the program this year.

05/25/2026

Our lobby will be closed for Memorial Day. We will be open tomorrow during regular business hours.

05/22/2026

Hey, we know you want to start your Memorial Day weekend activities. The weather is perfect; the windows are down. You're listening to your favorite tunes at the optimal level of not-being-a-distraction as you make your way toward your long weekend of smart decisions. Memorial Day marks the beginning of the 100 deadliest days of accidents caused by speeding. So just don't.

05/22/2026

IMBLER – Over the decades, there have been many iterations of school-based programs meant to ...Read More