City of Grants Pass Ready for 2025 SW Oregon Fire Season that Started Sunday

The City of Grants Pass started the 2025 southwest Oregon fire season on Sunday, with the fire danger level in the "low" category. Adopted City Municipal Code 9.15 Regulated Closure took effect on Sunday at 12:01 a.m.. Several restrictions have gone into effect in the Grants Pass city limits. Smoking in areas of flammable vegetation is now prohibited. All open fires are prohibited including campfires, cooking fires and warming fires except at locations designated by the Grants Pass Fire Marshal. The use of natural gas, propane and charcoal barbecues and smokers as well as natural gas and propane ornamental fires is still allowed. Power saw use is permitted all day during low fire danger. Each power saw is required to have one shovel and one fire extinguisher of at least 8-ounce capacity. A fire watch of one hour is required following the use of each saw. The cutting, grinding and welding of metal in areas of flammable vegetation is permitted during low fire danger as is the mowing of dry, cured grass. Motor vehicles -- including motorcycles and ATVs -- are only allowed on improved roads free of flammable vegetation except for the culture and harvest of agricultural crops. The City Fire Marshal or an authorized representative may -- in writing -- approve a modification or waiver of these requirements. For more information about fire season regulations, call Grants Pass Fire Prevention at (541)-450-6200. ...Read more

GP Police and Firefighters Logged Busy Week of Activity including Boatnik Festival

Grants Pass police officers and firefighters logged a busy seven days of activity in the week that included Boatnik. According to the Weekly Report filed by Grants Pass City Manager Aaron Cubic, police officers responded to a total of 644 calls for service along with 265 officer-initiated calls that resulted in 51 arrests, 42 citations, 54 warnings and five highly-intoxicated people being lodged at the Sobering Center. Cubic also reported that officers conducted a total of 72 traffic stops in the city and they made 29 referrals to the Oregon Department of Human Services. The GPPD Community Response Team (CRT) made a total of 31 contacts with potential troublemakers while arresting two people, citing 20 more and warning 11 others. The CRT unit also trespassed 11 individuals from homes and businesses. Grants Pass Fire & Rescue responded to a total of 118 calls last week including 45 for emergency medical service, seven reports of fire or smoke, 12 lift assists, eight rescue situations, 12 assists to other agencies and 10 false alarms. The Grants Pass 9-1-1 Communications Center fielded a total of 1,288 emergency calls last week. ...Read more

GP Firefighters Association Thanks Community after Successful MDA "Boot" Fundraiser

The Grants Pass Firefighters Association is thanking the community for its generosity after another successful "Fill the Boot" fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. In less than four hours on Friday, firefighters were able to raise more than $10,000 for MDA. The MDA supports research, care and families impacted by the neuromuscular disease. All of these donations go directly to this important organization. Fire officials said they could not have raised such a large amount of money in a short time without "our awesome community's support." They said if you missed them on Friday, they will be back next year. ...Read more