PENDLETON, Ore. — Oregon’s newest Rangeland Fire Protection Association (RFPA), the North Pendleton RFPA, is now fully trained and actively responding to wildfires in northern Umatilla County after officially forming earlier this year.
The Oregon Board of Forestry approved the creation of the North Pendleton RFPA on March 4, 2026, following a request from local landowners seeking organized wildfire protection in the area. It is the first new RFPA established in Oregon since the Grizzly RFPA was formed in March 2023.
“There has been a desire to have some sort of fire protection north of Pendleton for at least my lifetime,” said Randy Bracher of the North Pendleton RFPA. “I’m blown away by the level of support our community, local fire protection districts and community leaders have for this RFPA.”
To prepare the new association, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), working alongside the U.S. Wildland Fire Service, the U.S. Forest Service and local fire district personnel, conducted two basic wildland firefighting training courses attended by 62 association members.
ODF also helped equip the new RFPA by providing 20 portable radios, 70 sets of personal protective equipment and six pieces of Federal Excess Firefighting Equipment. The assistance was made possible through House Bill 3349, which established the Rangeland Protection Association Fund and authorized ODF to transfer surplus firefighting vehicles and equipment to RFPAs through donation or sale.
“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.”
The North Pendleton RFPA faced its first major test on June 14 when members responded to the Twin Sisters Fire. Since then, the association has assisted with responses to eight wildfires during the 2026 fire season.
“It’s been an incredible experience to work with these landowners through the RFPA formation process,” said Allison Rayburn, ODF’s Rangeland Coordinator. “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.”
Rangeland Fire Protection Associations play a key role in Oregon’s wildfire response by providing rapid initial attack on fires burning on private rangelands. Their local knowledge of the landscape and close coordination with state and local firefighting agencies make them an important resource in helping contain wildfires before they grow into larger incidents.
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