Oak Hill Fire & Rescue Protection Association, Inc.

09/03/2026

MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT Sept 3, 2026

At approximately 5:59 p.m., Oak Hill Fire & Rescue responded to the 2700 block of Piedmont Road for a single-vehicle rollover.

Engine 1, Rescue 1, and OHFR personnel responded. The vehicle was occupied by two individuals. There was no entrapment, and one occupant was transported by Burke County EMS.

Reminder: please use caution when approaching emergency scenes and watch for emergency personnel and apparatus working in the roadway.

09/01/2026

STRUCTURE FIRE August 31, 2026

Oak Hill Fire & Rescue responded to a structure fire at approximately 11:04 p.m. last night around the 2000 block of NC 126.

Engine 1, Engine 3, Tanker 1, Rescue 1, and Oak Hill personnel responded. Automatic aid was provided by Lake James Fire & Rescue and Glen Alpine Fire Department.

The fire was brought under control within approximately 7–8 minutes of crews arriving on scene. Firefighters remained on scene completing overhaul and other operations and cleared the scene at approximately 1:05 a.m.

At approximately 8:51 a.m. this morning, Oak Hill Fire & Rescue was dispatched back to the location for a rekindle.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Marshal also responded to the original incident.

We appreciate Lake James Fire & Rescue, Glen Alpine Fire Department, Burke County EMS, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, and the Burke County Fire Marshal's office for their assistance.

08/30/2026

08/30/2026

08/30/2026

UPDATE 1:50pm
SHORTOFF MOUNTAIN Rescue
[email protected]

NC HART (Helo-Aquatic Search & Rescue) MISSION ORDERED

Emergency crews are with the patient involved in a significant fall in the Shortoff Mountain area near the Wolf Pit Trailhead. Crews are currently working to safely extricate the patient from the rugged terrain.

This has developed into a significant multi-agency rescue operation. Burke County crews are being assisted by resources from McDowell County, Linville Central Rescue from Avery County, Catawba County, Lincoln County, and Caldwell County.

Burke County resources deployed to the operation include Oak Hill Fire & Rescue, Lake James Fire & Rescue, Glen Alpine Fire Department, Burke County Rescue Squad, Burke REACT, Burke County EMS, Burke County Emergency Management, and Burke County Emergency Communications (911).

All responding agencies are working together under Unified Command to coordinate resources and support the safe extrication of the patient.

Due to the difficult terrain and complexity of the rescue, a North Carolina HART Black Hawk helicopter is en route to assist with the extrication. MedCenter Air is also responding and will be available to transport the patient once the extrication is complete.

North Carolina Emergency Management continues to assist with coordinating resources for the operation.

Wolf Pit Trailhead remains inaccessible and will remain so for an extended period of time. We continue to ask the public to avoid the Wolf Pit Trailhead and Shortoff Mountain area while emergency crews are operating.

This remains an active rescue operation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available and when appropriate.

08/23/2026

KNOW THE SIREN TONES

With our new outdoor warning siren at Station 2 on Brown Mountain Beach Rd in the Joy community, we want residents to know what the different tones mean and what you should do when you hear them.

We’re sharing an example of the STRUCTURE FIRE tone so you can become familiar with what it sounds like.

STRUCTURE FIRE
The siren will sound 5 cycles of 2 tones.

This tone is used to alert our firefighters of a structure fire in the area and also serves as an alert to the community that emergency vehicles may be exiting the station and responding to a call.

If you hear this tone:
• Watch for emergency vehicles leaving the station
• Use caution when traveling nearby
• Slow down and stay alert
• Yield to responding emergency vehicles

Residents do not need to take any other action unless they are directly affected by the emergency.

Remember, the severe weather/emergency warning sounds different. That warning is one steady, continuous tone for approximately 2–3 minutes. See previous video posted for that tone.

Listen to the video so you’ll recognize the structure fire tone when you hear it.

Know the tone. Know what to do.

08/23/2026

VEHICLE FIRE – NC 181

On August 22, Oak Hill Fire & Rescue responded with Engine 1 and personnel to the 4200 block of NC 181 for a reported vehicle fire. The caller advised that the engine compartment of the vehicle was on fire.

Engine 1 arrived on scene at 11:54:08 p.m., and crews quickly went to work. The fire was brought under control approximately one minute (11:55:05 pm) after arrival.

Great work by our personnel on a quick response and fast knockdown!

08/21/2026

🚨 KNOW THE SIREN TONES 🚨

With our new outdoor warning siren at Brown Mountain Beach Rd Station 2 in the Joy community, we want residents to know what the different tones mean and what you should do when you hear them.

We’re sharing an example of the SEVERE WEATHER / EMERGENCY WARNING tone so you’ll know what it sounds like before you ever need to hear it during a real emergency.

🌪️ SEVERE WEATHER / EMERGENCY WARNING
The siren will sound one steady, continuous tone for approximately 2–3 minutes.

This video is an example of this weather/emergency warning tone.

If you hear this tone:
• Go inside immediately
• Listen to a local radio or TV station
• Check the Weather Channel or another reliable weather source
• Pay attention to National Weather Service alerts

The steady weather tone may be used for serious threats such as:
• Tornado warnings — not watches
• Hurricane-related emergencies
• Flash flooding

This siren will NOT be sounded for routine thunderstorms.

⚠️ Remember: Outdoor warning sirens are primarily designed to alert people who are OUTSIDE. You may not hear the siren from inside every home or building, so everyone should still have another way to receive emergency alerts.

Weekend testing may occur using the steady weather tone.

🔥 STRUCTURE FIRE
The siren will sound 5 cycles of 2 tones.

This tone is used to alert our firefighters of a structure fire in the area and to alert the community to watch for emergency vehicles exiting the station and responding to the call.

Please take a moment to listen to the example and learn the difference between the tones. We’ll also be sharing an example of the structure fire tone.

Know the tone. Know what to do.

07/28/2026

Monday Night Training

Last night, Oak Hill Fire & Rescue members conducted water rescue training at the Watermill Road river access on the Catawba River.

Members practiced deploying throw bags to reach and assist someone in the water while improving their accuracy, communication, and rescue techniques. Crews also deployed our swift-water rescue boat to practice boat operations and prepare for emergencies on and around waterways.

Regular hands-on training helps ensure our members are prepared to respond safely and effectively when every second counts.

Great work by everyone who participated!