JOSEPH, ENTERPRISE FIRE DEPARTMENTS DOUSE WILDFIRE

Fire burns in brush and trees

Volunteer firefighters from Joseph and Enterprise responded to a wildland fire between the cities at the Enterprise watershed off Dorrance Lane Saturday afternoon, April 19. 

Quick response by both agencies kept the fire from spreading from some grass, brush and trees along tracks of the Wallowa Union Railroad.

The cause of the blaze is undetermined.  

Enterprise firefireghters enter with hoses

Joseph firefighters use a deck-mounted high-water-volume "monitor" initially to reach across irrigation ditch 

Joseph firefighters stretch hose across ditch to douse remnants

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FIRE BOARD TO MEET MONDAY, APRIL 21

The district's Board of Directors will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, April 21, at the Wallowa Lake Fire Station. As always, the meeting is public and citizen input is welcome. Here is the agenda:

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JOSEPH FIRE MAKES SURE UNCONTROLLED BURN IS OUT

Joseph firefighters responded to a report of an escaped "controlled burn" Saturday afternoon, April 12, on Highway 82 north of the city limits.

Firefighter Tom Clevenger was first on the scene with Water Tender 31, which he used to douse charred grass and drown what remained of the fire.

Whipped by moderate winds, the fire had moved onto neighboring property, prompting residents to call 9-1-1.

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DISTRICT BOARD SEEKS APPLICANTS TO FILL VACANCY

Directors of Wallowa Lake Rural Fire Protection District are seeking applicants to fill a board vacancy created by the resignation of Chuck Anderson, a director since 2011 and board president for the past two years.

Anderson is moving out of the district. The board accepted his resignation, effective May 1, at a March 17 meeting.

District residents and property owners are invited to submit letters of application by April 18. Board members will review the letters and interview finalists at their meeting May 19. The appointee will fill the remainder of Anderson’s term ending in 2015.

 Letters should be sent to the district at P.O. Box 922, Joseph, OR 97846. Firefighting expertise is not necessary. Letters should outline why the applicant is interested in serving and his or her qualifications. 

Further information is available from Anderson at writeronfire@znet.com or 541-432-0209. 

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DISTRICT BOARD TO MEET MARCH 17

Fire district directors will meet Monday, March 17. Here is the agenda.

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DISTRICT BOARD TO MEET FEB. 17

The district Board of Directors will meet Monday, Feb. 17. Here is the agenda.

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JOSEPH FIREFIGHTERS HELP EXTINGUISH SERIOUS LOSTINE FIRE

Photo courtesy Emily Jones

Joseph Fire and Rescue assisted at a major fire in Lostine that reportedly destroyed the legendary South Fork Grange Hall and the Norton Welding shop, owned by Mayor Krag Norton, Saturday, Feb. 8.

Joseph firefighters responded with two water tenders shortly before noon, driving on the slick icy highway. Fire departments from Enterprise and Wallowa also responded to assist the Lostine Fire Department.

Paul Karvoski, Enterprise fire chief and Wallowa County emergency services manager, assumed command at the fire scene.

The affected occupancies were in aged buildings not required to have sprinklers. Many buildings in the county face the same risk. Nearby structures, including the iconic Lostine Tavern, undergoing a major renovation, were saved.

There's more, including photos, here.

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