Wallowa Lake Rural Fire Protection District, protecting Oregon's Little Switzerland: Our Fire Board

The Wallowa Lake Rural Fire Protection District is governed by a five-member board of directors elected by and ultimately responsible to district voters. Accordion to Oregon statute, a rural fire protection district director must live or own property in the district.

The board meets monthly at the lake fire station, usually at 7 p.m. on the 4th Monday of the month. For the next meeting date, contact President Bob Young, youngmybr@wildblue.net or 503-910-2414.

All meetings are public and the board welcomes citizen input. Agendas are posted on this website in advance of each meeting.

President
Bob Young

Current board members are:

President Bob Young, who owns a vacation home at Wallowa Lake and lives in Falls City, Ore. He is fire chief of the Falls City Volunteer Fire Department and station chief of Southwestern Polk County Rural Fire Protection District. Bob was appointed to the fire board in September 2011. He was elected in May 2013.

Secretary
Tom Groat

Vice President Tom Groat, a Wallowa Lake cabin owner and resident of Pendleton. Tom is former president of the Wallowa Lake Homeowners Association and is retired emergency management coordinator of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. He was elected to the fire board in May 2011 after having been appointed to a vacancy earlier in the year.

Director
Larry Blanc

Secretary Larry Blanc of Pendleton, owner of a second home at Wallowa Lake. Larry has been a communications and marketing professional for 35 years, currently serving as director of communications at St. Anthony Hospital and Foundation. His ties with Wallowa Lake go back to the days when his parents, Bob and Merle Blanc, had a home and cabin next to Vali’s Alpine Restaurant. "Wallowa Lake has been and will always be a very special place for me," he said. "If I can donate some of my time to be a part of the community, I am very willing to help." Larry was appointed to a vacant board position in September 2014.

Treasurer
David Hurley

Treasurer David Hurley, owner of Eagle Cap Chalets at the head of the lake and Eagle's View Inn and Suites in Enterprise. He purchased the businesses after retiring as a certified public accountant in Enterprise. David was elected in May 2013.

Greg Johnson, is owner of Trouthaven Cabins along with his wife Gail. Trouthaven is in its 70th year of operation on the west side of Wallowa Lake. Greg is a fourth generation rancher in Wallowa County and he served 26 years on the Enterprise Fire Department. He was elected in
Septemberof 2018.

About the fire district

Wallowa Lake Rural Fire Protection District encompasses properties bordering and near Wallowa Lake in northeast Oregon. It includes the community at the south end ("head") of the lake, homes at the north end ("foot") of the lake and properties along the West Moraine including Lake Shore Road, Edgewater Drive and the Hays Lane area.

Fire protection and rescue services are provided through a contract with the City of Joseph and its volunteer fire department. Joseph provides a fire engine located at the lake fire station, 60000 Mt. Howard Lane. It is staffed by Joseph firefighters who live and/or work at the lake.

In case of an emergency, Joseph Fire Department responds from the lake fire station and from its station in Joseph. If necessary, additional aid will be provided by Enterprise and Wallowa fire departments, the Oregon Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service.

Heat your home safely

Each winter, the high cost of home heating fuels and utilities causes many to search for alternate sources of home heating. Wood stoves, space heaters and fireplaces, however, are a major contributing factor in home fires.

Many of these fires can be prevented. You can prevent the loss of life and property resulting from heating fires by identifying potential hazards and following these safety tips:

All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.

Use heating equipment that has the label of a recognized testing laboratory.

Make sure all fuel-burning heating equipment is vented outdoors to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Purchase only portable space heaters with an automatic shutoff so if they’re tipped over they turn off.

Allow wood stove and fireplace ashes to cool before disposing of them. Use a tightly covered metal container and keep it at least 10 feet away from your home.

How to prevent electrical fires

Electrical fires in homes claim the lives of 280 Americans each year. Many of these fires are caused by incorrectly installed wiring and overloaded circuits and extension cords.

Winter fires can be prevented. The following electrical fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire-safe home this winter season.

Check electrical appliances and wiring routinely.

Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.

Replace any electrical tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out or emits smoke or sparks.

Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.

Buy electrical products evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, like Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Keep clothes, curtains, and other combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.

If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like space heaters, irons and hair dryers.

Use safety closures to make electrical outlets childproof.

Use electrical extension cords wisely; never overload extension cords or wall sockets.

Shut off and replace light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.

For more information on electrical fire safety, log onto www.usfa.fema.gov/citizens/home_fire_prev/electrical.shtm.

Tips on summer grilling and campfire safety

Every year we look forward to summer vacations, camping, family reunions, picnics and the Fourth of July. Summertime, however, also brings injuries due to outdoor cooking and recreational fires. Annually, nearly 3,800 Americans are injured by gas or charcoal grill fires.

Summertime should be a time of fun and happy memories. Knowing a few fire safety tips and following safety instructions will help everyone have a safe summer.

Safety Tips for Grilling and Campfires

Position the grill well away from siding, deck railing, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.

Keep children and pets from the grill area: declare a three-foot "safe zone" around the grill.

If you own a propane grill, check the cylinder hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose and bubbles will reveal any escaping propane.

In a fire pit, avoid using soft wood, such as pine or cedar that will likely pop and throw sparks. Seasoned hardwood is better.

Don’t build a campfire at a site in hazardous, dry conditions or if the campground, area or event rules prohibit campfires.

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Our Fire Board