Investigation Continues into Blaze that Destroyed Sumpter Saloon
By Joe Hathaway on Thursday, August 17th, 2023 in Featured Stories Northeastern Oregon News
SUMPTER — The investigation continues into a blaze that destroyed a historic saloon.
Fire officials say they responded to a fire at the Elkhorn Saloon around 1:25am on the morning of Wednesday, August 16th.
Wes Morgan, Chief of the Powder River Rural Fire Department, says the fire was “massive” with flames nearly 20 feet high.
“It was a battle from the get-go,” said Morgan. “This was a tough son of a gun to handle but we eventually got a hold on it.”
Morgan says the building was unoccupied and that no injuries have been reported. But he said the building is a total loss.
The Elkhorn Saloon dates back to 1900.
No cause of the blaze has been reported and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office is now investigating.
Firefighters from multiple agencies responded to a mutual aid request from Sumpter, including Powder River, Greater Bowen Valley, Keating and the Baker City Fire Department.
“We had a good turnout and response, but this goes to show that we need more volunteers as these firefighters are getting older and retiring,” said Morgan. “What’s going to happen in five years when there’s a fire in a rural town in need and no one’s around to show up?”
Finding new volunteer recruits is becoming more difficult. 73% of Oregon’s fire departments reported a “moderate or significant decrease” in the number of volunteer firefighters over the past five years, according to a November 2022 statewide survey.
“Small towns and counties need protection and we need young bodies,” said Morgan. “We’re getting too damn old.”
