What Fire District Is Gaston Oregon In?

Learn about What fire district is Gaston Oregon in?

If you’re asking “What fire district is Gaston Oregon in?”, here’s the simple answer: the City of Gaston and nearby rural communities are served by the Gaston Rural Fire District. Below, you’ll learn what that means, how service works around Hagg Lake and the hills, and where to find local resources.

Quick Answer

Gaston is in the Gaston Rural Fire District, a volunteer-combination department covering the City of Gaston and surrounding rural areas in southern Washington County and northern Yamhill County. Nearby agencies—like Forest Grove Fire & Rescue and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue—often provide automatic or mutual aid, especially for larger incidents or specialized rescues.

What What fire district is Gaston Oregon in? Means

  • A fire district is the local agency that responds to fires, medical calls, crashes, and some rescues for a defined area.
  • In Gaston, that’s the Gaston Rural Fire District (GRFD).
  • Boundaries are set by county maps. Some addresses near the edges (Laurelwood, Cherry Grove, Hagg Lake, or the Yamhill County line) may be close to other districts, but GRFD is the primary agency for Gaston itself.

Why People Search for This in Gaston, Oregon

  • Moving to town and need to know who responds to 9-1-1 calls
  • Insurance questions (ISO ratings, hydrants, distance to a station)
  • Burn season rules and backyard burning
  • Wildfire season awareness near Hagg Lake (Scoggins Valley Park) and the Coast Range foothills
  • Planning events, school visits, or safety checks

What to Expect

  • Service type: Volunteer-combination. Volunteers and part-time staff respond from the main station in downtown Gaston (on Main Street) with support from nearby partners.
  • Response area: City of Gaston, plus rural neighborhoods toward Laurelwood, Cherry Grove, and the hills west of Highway 47. Parts of the Hagg Lake area are covered with help from neighboring agencies for water rescues.
  • Neighboring partners: Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R), Yamhill Fire Protection District, and Banks Fire District 13 commonly assist.
  • Water supply: Hydrants exist in parts of town. In rural areas, firefighters often truck water in, so long driveways and clear access are important.
  • Seasons:
    • Spring/Fall: Limited outdoor burning days; always check daily burn status.
    • Summer: Higher wildfire risk. Expect burn bans, dry grass restrictions, and occasional smoke in the valley.
    • Winter: Wet roads, downed limbs, and localized flooding in low spots.

Tips for Visitors / Residents

  • Verify your address: Use Washington County or Yamhill County online GIS maps to confirm your fire district and closest station.
  • Sign up for alerts:
    • Washington & northern Yamhill County residents: PublicAlerts.org (regional emergency alerts)
  • Prepare your home:
    • Keep driveways clear for engines (12-foot wide, 13.5-foot clearance is a good rule of thumb).
    • Post reflective address numbers visible from the road.
    • Create defensible space around structures (clear leaves/needles, limb up trees, store firewood away from buildings).
  • Burning:
    • Check daily burn status before lighting any yard debris. Follow DEQ and local fire district rules, and never burn on windy days.
  • Hagg Lake safety:
    • Wear life jackets; water is cold year-round.
    • Expect joint responses from GRFD, county marine patrol, and nearby fire agencies for water incidents.
  • Know who to call:
    • Emergencies: 9-1-1
    • Non-emergency dispatch (Washington County/WCCCA): 503-629-0111

Best Local Resources

  • Gaston Rural Fire District: Search “Gaston Rural Fire District Oregon” for the official site, station info, and burn guidance.
  • Washington County Burn & Fire Safety: co.washington.or.us (search “burning”)
  • Oregon DEQ Open Burning: deq.oregon.gov (search “open burning”)
  • PublicAlerts (regional emergency alerts): publicalerts.org
  • Scoggins Valley Park / Hagg Lake updates: washcoparks.org

Frequently Asked Questions About What fire district is Gaston Oregon in?

  • Is all of Hagg Lake in the Gaston Rural Fire District?

    • Much of the area is served by GRFD with help from neighboring agencies. Water rescues often involve specialized teams from Forest Grove or TVF&R. Always check your exact address or the park’s current safety info.

  • How far is Gaston from Portland for mutual aid?

    • Gaston is about 30 miles southwest of downtown Portland. The closest larger agencies are in Forest Grove (about 9–10 miles north) and Hillsboro (about 16–18 miles northeast).

  • Who provides ambulance/EMS transport?

    • Ambulance service is provided by regional EMS providers used by Washington and Yamhill counties. 9-1-1 dispatch will send the closest available unit along with firefighters.

  • Do I need a permit to burn yard debris?

    • It depends on the season, air quality, and your exact location. Check the daily burn line/status on the fire district or county website and follow DEQ rules.

  • Can families visit the Gaston fire station?

    • Yes—community engagement is common. Call the district’s non-emergency line or check their website for open house dates, school visits, and safety events.

Summary

Gaston, Oregon is served by the Gaston Rural Fire District, with frequent support from nearby departments. If you live near Laurelwood, Cherry Grove, or Hagg Lake, verify your exact fire district using county maps. In all cases: check burn rules, prepare for wildfire season, and sign up for local emergency alerts.

  • Moving to Gaston, Oregon: Neighborhoods, commute times, and what to know
  • Visiting Hagg Lake: Parking, safety, and best times to go
  • Gaston and Forest Grove Wineries: Tasting room tips and scenic drives