Police seek Ethan Burlingame, person of interest in fires started in Fossil
By Logan Bagett on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2026 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
FOSSIL – (Press Release from the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office)
The Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in an ongoing investigation involving multiple fires that occurred during the early morning hours of June 1, 2026, within the City of Fossil.
At this time, investigators believe that two of the fires were intentionally set. A third fire, located south of Fossil, remains under investigation and is being examined for a possible connection to the incidents within the city.
Residents may have noticed an increased law enforcement presence in and around Fossil throughout the day as deputies and partner agencies followed leads and gathered information related to this investigation.
The Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office is currently attempting to locate Ethan Burlingame, a 28-year-old white male described as approximately 6 feet tall, 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Law enforcement is seeking to conduct a welfare check on Mr. Burlingame, who has been identified as a person of interest in this investigation.
We ask anyone with information regarding Mr. Burlingame’s whereabouts, or anyone who may have observed suspicious activity in the Fossil area on or around June 1, 2026, to contact the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office immediately.
This remains an active and ongoing investigation. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
If you have information, please contact the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office at 541-763-4101 or Dispatch at 541-384-2080.
Thank you for your assistance and continued support as we work to ensure the safety of our community.
