It’s been a brutal summer for volunteer fire departments across Central Oregon, and Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue is no exception. After months of responding to local emergencies while also sending crews to assist with major fires across the state, the department is asking the community to return the favor — one plate of pancakes at a time.

The department is hosting its annual Firefighter Breakfast Fundraiser on Sunday, September 6, from 7:30 to 11 a.m. at Station 501, located at SW Shad Road on the Ranch. There is no set ticket price — attendees simply donate what they can. All proceeds benefit the Crooked River Ranch Volunteer Firefighters Association.

A Department Under Pressure

The fundraiser comes on the heels of a fire season that has tested rural departments across the region. Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue recently benefited from a wildfire staffing grant that funded one additional firefighter per day throughout fire season — providing critical flexibility as regular personnel were deployed to assist with the Bench Fire on the Warm Springs Reservation and other large incidents around Oregon.

The grant, which covers roughly three to three-and-a-half months of wages for the extra position, helped ensure the Ranch community wasn’t left short-staffed when local calls came in.

Volunteers Are the Backbone

Like many rural fire districts in Jefferson County, Crooked River Ranch Fire & Rescue relies heavily on volunteers who train, respond, and serve their neighbors without guarantee of compensation. Funds raised through events like the breakfast go directly toward supporting those volunteers — covering gear, training, and association costs that allow the department to keep recruiting and retaining members.

The Crooked River Ranch community, home to several thousand residents spread across the canyon country west of Madras, depends on its local fire district as the primary first-responder to structure fires, vehicle accidents, medical calls, and wildfire threats.

Event Details

  • What: Firefighter Breakfast Fundraiser
  • When: Sunday, September 6, 7:30–11 a.m.
  • Where: Station 501, SW Shad Road, Crooked River Ranch
  • Cost: Donation of your choice
  • Proceeds: Volunteer Firefighters Association

Community members are encouraged to bring family and friends. It’s a simple way to say thank you to the men and women who answer the call when things go wrong on the Ranch.