North Pendleton RFPA is equipped and fighting fires
By Terry Murry on Thursday, July 30th, 2026 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories
SALEM – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is celebrating the state’s newest rangeland fire protection association (RFPA) and the North Pendleton RFPA trained up and got equipped in the nick of time as wildfires rage throughout the region.
Landowners in northern Umatilla County had their RFPA approved on March 24 by the Oregon Board of Forestry. It’s the first new rural fire protection association to come into being in Oregon since 2023.
“There has been a desire to have some sort of fire protection north of Pendleton for at least my lifetime,” Randy Bracher of the new organization said. “I’m blown away by the level of support our community, local fire protection districts, and community leaders have for this RFPA.”
The 62 members of the new association underwent two basic fire-training classes given by the ODF, the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and local fire district personnel.
ODF also assisted in providing 20 portable radios, 70 pieces of personal protective equipment, and six pieces of Federal Excess Firefighting Equipment. The latter was made possible through the Oregon Rangeland Protection Association Fund which authorizes ODF to transfer used vehicles and other equipment to RFPAs through sale or donation.
“We officially began on March 4 of this year and have been on our heels to get trained up and the resources we need,” Bracher said. “Our optimum goal in creating the RFPA was safety and communication.”
On June 14, the association responded to the Twin Sisters Fire, its first large fire. So far this summer, the RFPA has responded to eight fires.
“It’s been an incredible experience to work with these landowners through the RFPA formation process,” ODF Rangeland Coordinator Allison Rayburn said. “And it was amazing to hear them say after their first large fire response that the RFPA model was a great success and that communication, safety, and quick action were all key to getting a handle on the fire.”
Photo provided by Oregon Department of Forestry
