Williams Rural Fire Protection District

We love our Support Team volunteers 🤩💕🔥 Volunteers are setting up for our Community Yard Sale this weekend. Come on down and support the Firefighters on Saturday from 9-5 and Sunday from 9-3.

𝙁𝙄𝙍𝙀 𝘿𝘼𝙉𝙂𝙀𝙍 𝙄𝙉𝘾𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙎𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝙏𝙊 𝙈𝙊𝘿𝙀𝙍𝘼𝙏𝙀: Fire danger on Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Southwest Oregon District-protected land will increase to moderate (blue) on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 12:01 a.m. Lands affected by this declaration include 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) forestlands in Jackson and Josephine counties. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will remain at one.

Although the region has seen a brief stretch of cooler days, vegetation continues to dry, and the increasing heat this week will accelerate that drying as temperatures climb toward the 100 degree mark. This combination of ongoing drying and rising heat is increasing fire danger and prompting the shift to moderate on Thursday.

Beginning Thursday at 12:01 a.m., the following new public fire restrictions will take effect:

• Open fires are prohibited, which includes campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at locations deemed a designated campground. Portable cooking stoves or firepits using liquefied or bottled fuels are still allowed in areas clear of flammable vegetation;

• Chainsaws may not be used between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate fire danger. During hours outside of this time frame, chainsaws may be used but require that the operator have one shovel and one 8 ounce or larger fire extinguisher at the work site. A fire watch is also required for one hour after each chainsaw use;

• Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate fire danger. These activities will be allowed during hours outside of this time frame only if the work site is a cleared area and a charged garden hose or one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher is at the job site;

• The mowing of dead or dried grass with power-driven equipment is not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. This restriction does not include mowing of green lawns, or equipment used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops;

• Motorized vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, will be allowed only on improved roads free of flammable vegetation. One shovel and one gallon of water, or one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher, is required while traveling. All-terrain vehicles and motorcycles must be equipped with one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher;

• Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher. As noted above, all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles must be equipped with one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher;

• Any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine use not specifically mentioned is not allowed between 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. during moderate fire danger. Use of any spark-emitting internal combustion engine is allowed outside of this time frame only if the work site is a cleared area and a charged garden hose or one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher is at the job site;

Public fire restrictions currently in effect, which will remain in effect, include:

• No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels.
• No fireworks on or within one eighth of a mile of ODF-protected land.
• Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.
• Smoking while traveling will only be allowed in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water and other specifically designated locations.
• Any electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services and be installed and used in compliance with the fence controller’s instructions for fire safe operation.

Following fire season regulations helps to decrease the number of human-caused fires, as these activities are known to create sparks and start fires.

For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Season regulations, visit our page, or our website, www.swofire.com. You can also call or visit the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest to you:

Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point – (541) 664-3328 Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants Pass – (541) 474-3152

District Reminder: There is no Regular Board Meeting scheduled tomorrow - Please note that the June 2026 Board Meeting is not scheduled at the traditional time of the second Tuesday of the month in order to better accommodate the schedules of staff and Board Members.

Please see the Williams Fire/Rescue website for details about upcoming meetings dates and times:
https://www.wrfpd.org/recordsarchive.html

Board Meetings will be held in person and teleconference via Zoom.

Records/Archive April 17, 2024 Special Board Meeting Agenda

PUBLIC INFORMATION: FIRE RESTRICTIONS

We've received several questions regarding the recent increase in Fire Protection Level by the U.S. Forest Service- Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

It is important to understand that U.S. Forest Service restrictions apply only to lands protected and managed by the U.S. Forest Service. They do not automatically apply to private residential properties within the Williams Valley.

Most private lands and residences in our area fall under the protection of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). As a result, residents should continue to follow the current ODF fire season restrictions, which remain in effect for private property.

If you are planning activities such as equipment use, mowing, welding, or recreational campfires, please refer to the current ODF restrictions applicable to your property location.

We encourage everyone to remain vigilant and practice fire-safe behaviors as conditions continue to dry across Southern Oregon.

For the latest fire season restrictions, visit or contact ODF Southwest Oregon District.

Dragging tow chains, faulty parts throwing sparks, or parking over dry grass can start a fire without you even knowing. Take steps today to make sure that your vehicle doesn't start the next wildfire.

-Get your vehicle serviced
-Make sure your tow chains are not dragging before leaving.
-NEVER park over dried grass

For more tips on how you can prevent the next wildfire, visit KeepOregonGreen.org.

Celebrate responsibly this Memorial Day Weekend. Campfires are one of the top causes of human-caused fires in Oregon and completely preventable. Before starting a fire, check local and park restrictions to see if there are any burn bans or extra restrictions in place. Never leave your campfire unattended and always make sure the fire is DEAD OUT before leaving.

For more information on campfire safety and restrictions, visit Oregon State Parks website. https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=v.feature-article&articleId=382

The Board and Budget Committee Meetings are scheduled for this Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 5:00pm and 6:00pm, respectively. Please use the Zoom link below to participate.
Place and Time: District Headquarters, 211 E. Fork Road, Williams OR, at 5:00 PM - Board Meeting, 6:00 PM Budget Meeting.

Additional documents and details may be found on the district website: https://www.wrfpd.org/recordsarchive.html

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/5918971593?pwd=vlfa5CsLauwJNJfAcwG3SyWZjFgTYS.1

Meeting ID: 591 897 1593
Passcode: 8467644

We're Hiring Seasonal Firefighters!

Our District is looking for qualified applicants to fill three (3) Seasonal Firefighter positions. This position responds to emergent and non-emergent calls for service and augments staffing of engine companies. The Seasonal Firefighter will participate in training as well as perform routine apparatus, equipment, and station maintenance.

Applicants must submit a complete application packet no later than 12:00 p.m. (PST) on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.

A complete application packet includes a District application, cover letter, and resume. Current District members will submit a cover letter and resume in lieu of a District application.

Applications may be submitted directly to the District or via email. Faxed applications will NOT be accepted.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE AT NOON TODAY

To submit your application packet via direct mail or in person:
Williams Rural Fire Protection District
Attn. Oskar Sundell
PO Box 81 / 211 East Fork Road
Williams, OR 97544

To submit your application packet via email, send to:
[email protected]

See the application, announcement and timeline on our website:

Volunteer Our District is looking for qualified applicants to fill three (3) Seasonal Firefighter positions. This position responds to emergent and non-emergent calls for service and augments staffing of...