Ontario Rural Fire Protection District Press Release March 21, 2025
Ontario Fire & Rescue (OFR) was dispatched for a structure fire at 152 SE 9th Avenue in Ontario, Oregon. Based on dispatch information, OFR immediately requested a general page for all available OFR staff to respond. Initial response included a Type 3 Engine (Rescue 1) staffed with three firefighters,106 (Operations Captain), and 105 (Command/Chief). OFR arrived to find an approximately 25,000 square foot agricultural storage building well involved with flames coming out of the roof in several places, with exposures to the south (Murakami Produce) and east (Farmers Supply COOP bulk fuel storage facility), and fire spreading through the nearby vegetation to the west. Rescue 1 established a water supply and started a defensive attack on the south end of the building to protect exposures. OFR requested mutual aid from Vale, Payette, Parma, and New Plymouth and Treasure Valley Paramedics provided an ambulance to standby during operations. Three nearby fire hydrants were utilized to flow master streams to contain the fire. Fire crews worked successfully to contain the blaze to the building of origin and protected the exposures. The Oregon State Fire Marshallâs Office (OSFM) was called to the scene and is assisting OFR with continued investigation into cause and origin. There were no reports of injuries to civilians or firefighters; however, the investigation will continue for several days. Currently, the building is too dangerous to enter due to structural compromise and safety concerns. OFR is working with the owner, Hector Navarret, and OSFM on a plan to safely investigate the cause and origin of the fire. We ask the community to please stay clear of the area as the building is not structural sound and poses a safety risk to anyone within the collapse zone.Â
In total, five engines, two ladder trucks, one water tender, two brush trucks, three command vehicles, and one rehab/UAV(drone) apparatus staffed by thirty firefighters took part in the operation. The drone was used with thermal imaging to assist with water placement and an overhead search.
The building will continue to smolder, and OFR will keep an eye on the structure throughout the night.
