Today the Marion County Board of Commissioners expressed their appreciation for local fire districts mobilized this summer to assist with wildland fires throughout the state. Local firefighters were called to protect homes and businesses in support of wildland fire agencies including the Oregon Department of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service.
Commissioner Sam Brentano, who served 20 years as a volunteer firefighter/EMT with the Sublimity, Woodburn, and Harrisburg Rural Fire Districts said, "We are pleased to recognize the sacrifice and efforts made by the fire departments in Marion County and acknowledge their contribution to public safety across the state."
In 2015 there were six Emergency Conflagration Act mobilizations with three concurrent. Stayton Fire and Marion County Fire Defense Board Chief Jack Carriger described 2015 as one of the busiest fire seasons he has experience in his professional career and noted the incredible demand on resources. He said, "Marion County is known as one of the top resource suppliers for conflagrations across the state. When a mobilization occurs, fire districts have one hour to respond. I feel good that we have a group of people that can be counted on to provide service."
Local responding agencies included Aumsville Rural Fire Protection District, Aurora Rural Fire Protection District, Drakes Crossing Rural Fire Protection District, Hubbard Rural Fire Protection District, Marion County Fire District #1, Mount Angel Fire District, Salem Fire Department, Silverton Rural Fire Protection District, Stayton Fire District, Sublimity Fire District, Turner Fire District, and Woodburn Fire District.
County fire districts deployed to six fires including Stouts near Canyonville, County Line 2 near Warm Springs, Cornet/Windy Ridge near Durkee, Canyon Creek near John Day, Grizzly Bear on the Oregon/Washington border, and Dry Gulch near Richland.
