2025 Annual Call Summary

The image shows a landscape with smoke rising in the distance, likely from a fire, and some vehicles near the smoke.
A large cloud of smoke billows over a grassy field with a red barn, suggesting a possible fire in the distance.
A building is engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The scene indicates a serious fire.
A smiling firefighter poses in front of a burning house with flames and smoke, while fellow firefighters respond to the scene.
A workspace cluttered with uniforms, an employee organizing items, computers, and storage containers in a busy environment.
The image shows a rural landscape with smoke rising, possibly from a fire. There are buildings and trees in the surrounding area.
The image shows a field with smoke rising against a blue sky, indicating a possible fire in the area.
A fire truck is parked in a lot under a colorful sunset, with trees and hills in the background.
The image shows a heavily damaged maroon vehicle, with its roof crushed and parts exposed, resting on gravel.
An overturned vehicle and wrecked car parts are visible next to a roadside, with emergency personnel present.
A person enjoying food while a building nearby is on fire, with others in the background reacting to the scene.
Firefighters posing in front of a burning building with flames shooting from the roof, showcasing their gear and teamwork.
The image shows a rural landscape with smoke rising from a field, surrounded by trees and structures.
A winding dirt road surrounded by lush green trees, with a glimpse of a cable or power lines in the distance.
A maroon SUV is overturned on its side in a grassy area, surrounded by debris and a few trees in the background.
A red and black helicopter with "REACH" written on the side, parked on a tarmac near a building and trees.
A white truck is parked on a dirt path surrounded by scattered debris and grass.
Firefighters in gear gather in a smoky environment, likely preparing for or assessing a situation related to fire safety.
Firefighters in gear are approaching a smokey building, prepared to combat a fire.
A fire truck is set up at night, with flames visible in the background and firefighters working to manage a fire.
A group meets in a hall for a presentation by the American Red Cross, discussing shelter fundamentals.
Firefighters pose for a group photo in front of a burning building, showcasing teamwork and bravery during an emergency situation.
A group of firefighters and volunteers pose in front of a fire truck during twilight, showcasing their teamwork and pride.
Firefighters and bystanders are gathered outside a house, with a fire truck visible in the background and clear blue skies.
A group of rescuers practices a rescue operation, using a stretcher and safety gear in a wooded area.
A group of individuals in a meeting room, attending a presentation with a projector screen and tables set up for discussion.
A group of individuals stands in front of a helicopter, likely after a training or team event, with trees in the background.
Firefighters are responding to a smoky structure fire at night, with hoses and equipment visible.
A fire truck is parked in a burnt field with a firefighter in a yellow helmet, preparing to extinguish remaining flames.
A fire truck is parked near a smoky hillside where firefighters are responding to a wildfire.
A community event at a rural fire district, with people, vehicles, and decorations, likely for Halloween or a similar celebration.
A person is wrapped in a yellow rescue blanket, lying on the ground with several people around them.
An aerial view of a burnt area with smoke rising, surrounded by fields and homes, indicating a possible fire incident.
The image shows individuals with helmets near various rescue bags and equipment under a blue tarp in a natural setting.
A fire truck is parked next to a Dollar General, with people sitting on chairs nearby, enjoying a sunny day.
A group of firefighters responds to a building engulfed in thick smoke and flames, with visible emergency equipment nearby.
The image shows emergency vehicles parked outside a building, with a group of people in the distance holding a sign that says "HELP."
A house is on fire, emitting thick smoke and flames, with firefighters responding to the scene.
A dark scene with a wildfire burning along a hillside, smoke rising, and a person walking near power lines.
Firefighters battling a blaze, with smoke and a hose visible near a structure in a dark setting.
A bright, large fire burns at night with three individuals in safety gear observing it.
The image shows smoke rising from a fire in a rural area, with hills and a few structures visible in the foreground.
Firefighters and volunteers gather under a tent with smoke rising from a building in the background. Supplies are visible nearby.
Two firefighters are practicing with a hose, spraying water at a fire station on a clear day. Fire trucks are in the background.
Two people pose for a photo in front of a burning building, with firefighters actively tackling the flames in the background.
A fire truck is parked near Lookingglass Brewery, with several vehicles in the lot and a scenic sky in the background.
Two tables with "Lookingglass Brewery" branding, featuring sign-up sheets, pens, glasses, and a growler on display.
Firefighters training with hoses in front of a red fire and rescue trailer, demonstrating fire safety techniques.
A group of people attending a presentation in a community hall, with tables, chairs, and a projector in use.
A group is attending a training session, focused on responder education, in a classroom setting.
A fire truck is seen at night, responding to a wildfire with flames and smoke visible in the background among the vegetation.
Firefighters in gear posing outdoors, surrounded by colleagues and equipment, with a wooden building and trees in the background.
Firefighters, in full gear, kneeling near a doorway with visible flames and smoke.
The image shows a landscape with smoke rising in the distance, likely from a fire, and some vehicles near the smoke.
A large cloud of smoke billows over a grassy field with a red barn, suggesting a possible fire in the distance.
A building is engulfed in flames, with thick black smoke billowing into the sky. The scene indicates a serious fire.
A smiling firefighter poses in front of a burning house with flames and smoke, while fellow firefighters respond to the scene.
A workspace cluttered with uniforms, an employee organizing items, computers, and storage containers in a busy environment.
The image shows a rural landscape with smoke rising, possibly from a fire. There are buildings and trees in the surrounding area.
The image shows a field with smoke rising against a blue sky, indicating a possible fire in the area.
A fire truck is parked in a lot under a colorful sunset, with trees and hills in the background.
The image shows a heavily damaged maroon vehicle, with its roof crushed and parts exposed, resting on gravel.
An overturned vehicle and wrecked car parts are visible next to a roadside, with emergency personnel present.
A person enjoying food while a building nearby is on fire, with others in the background reacting to the scene.
Firefighters posing in front of a burning building with flames shooting from the roof, showcasing their gear and teamwork.
The image shows a rural landscape with smoke rising from a field, surrounded by trees and structures.
A winding dirt road surrounded by lush green trees, with a glimpse of a cable or power lines in the distance.
A maroon SUV is overturned on its side in a grassy area, surrounded by debris and a few trees in the background.
A red and black helicopter with "REACH" written on the side, parked on a tarmac near a building and trees.
A white truck is parked on a dirt path surrounded by scattered debris and grass.
Firefighters in gear gather in a smoky environment, likely preparing for or assessing a situation related to fire safety.
Firefighters in gear are approaching a smokey building, prepared to combat a fire.
A fire truck is set up at night, with flames visible in the background and firefighters working to manage a fire.
A group meets in a hall for a presentation by the American Red Cross, discussing shelter fundamentals.
Firefighters pose for a group photo in front of a burning building, showcasing teamwork and bravery during an emergency situation.
A group of firefighters and volunteers pose in front of a fire truck during twilight, showcasing their teamwork and pride.
Firefighters and bystanders are gathered outside a house, with a fire truck visible in the background and clear blue skies.
A group of rescuers practices a rescue operation, using a stretcher and safety gear in a wooded area.
A group of individuals in a meeting room, attending a presentation with a projector screen and tables set up for discussion.
A group of individuals stands in front of a helicopter, likely after a training or team event, with trees in the background.
Firefighters are responding to a smoky structure fire at night, with hoses and equipment visible.
A fire truck is parked in a burnt field with a firefighter in a yellow helmet, preparing to extinguish remaining flames.
A fire truck is parked near a smoky hillside where firefighters are responding to a wildfire.
A community event at a rural fire district, with people, vehicles, and decorations, likely for Halloween or a similar celebration.
A person is wrapped in a yellow rescue blanket, lying on the ground with several people around them.
An aerial view of a burnt area with smoke rising, surrounded by fields and homes, indicating a possible fire incident.
The image shows individuals with helmets near various rescue bags and equipment under a blue tarp in a natural setting.
A fire truck is parked next to a Dollar General, with people sitting on chairs nearby, enjoying a sunny day.
A group of firefighters responds to a building engulfed in thick smoke and flames, with visible emergency equipment nearby.
The image shows emergency vehicles parked outside a building, with a group of people in the distance holding a sign that says "HELP."
A house is on fire, emitting thick smoke and flames, with firefighters responding to the scene.
A dark scene with a wildfire burning along a hillside, smoke rising, and a person walking near power lines.
Firefighters battling a blaze, with smoke and a hose visible near a structure in a dark setting.
A bright, large fire burns at night with three individuals in safety gear observing it.
The image shows smoke rising from a fire in a rural area, with hills and a few structures visible in the foreground.
Firefighters and volunteers gather under a tent with smoke rising from a building in the background. Supplies are visible nearby.
Two firefighters are practicing with a hose, spraying water at a fire station on a clear day. Fire trucks are in the background.
Two people pose for a photo in front of a burning building, with firefighters actively tackling the flames in the background.
A fire truck is parked near Lookingglass Brewery, with several vehicles in the lot and a scenic sky in the background.
Two tables with "Lookingglass Brewery" branding, featuring sign-up sheets, pens, glasses, and a growler on display.
Firefighters training with hoses in front of a red fire and rescue trailer, demonstrating fire safety techniques.
A group of people attending a presentation in a community hall, with tables, chairs, and a projector in use.
A group is attending a training session, focused on responder education, in a classroom setting.
A fire truck is seen at night, responding to a wildfire with flames and smoke visible in the background among the vegetation.
Firefighters in gear posing outdoors, surrounded by colleagues and equipment, with a wooden building and trees in the background.
Firefighters, in full gear, kneeling near a doorway with visible flames and smoke.

The Lookingglass Rural Fire District (LRFD) is committed to transparency and keeping our community informed about emergency response activity. Below is a summary of LRFD’s operations during 2025.

During the 2025 calendar year, LRFD received a total of 301 calls for service, an increase from 238 calls in 2024. This increase reflects growing service demands, expanded response responsibilities, and continued reliance on volunteer emergency services in rural Douglas County.

LRFD is responsible for providing emergency response within approximately 70 square miles of district coverage. In addition, through automatic aid agreements, LRFD provides initial response coverage for an additional 90 square miles of surrounding rural area that does not fall within any other fire district. This results in potential first-response responsibility across approximately 160 square miles, a significant operational footprint for a small-budget, rural, volunteer fire department.

Despite geographic challenges, staffing limitations, and weather impacts, LRFD maintained an average dispatch-to-on-scene response time of 11 minutes and 33 seconds in 2025.

2025 Call Breakdown by Type

Total Calls for Service Received: 301

  • Medical Aid: 117
  • Public Safety: 35
  • Natural Cover Fires: 32
  • Structure Fires: 24
  • Motor Vehicle Accidents (MVA): 21
  • Lift Assists: 22
  • Public Assists: 13
  • Fire Alarms: 11
  • Illegal Burns: 10
  • Smoke Investigations: 5
  • Good Intent Calls: 2
  • Area Coverage: 2
  • Medical Standby: 1
  • Flue Fire: 1
  • Vehicle Fire: 1
  • Welfare Check: 1
  • Carbon Monoxide Alarm: 1
  • Commercial Fire: 1
  • Medical Alarm: 1

Mutual & Automatic Aid

Mutual and automatic aid remain critical to emergency response in rural communities.

In 2025, LRFD:

  • Provided mutual or automatic aid 51 times to neighboring agencies
  • Received mutual or automatic aid 22 times from partner agencies

Across the nation, volunteer fire departments are experiencing a decline in firefighter numbers due to increased training requirements, economic pressures, and competing work and family obligations. Mutual and automatic aid agreements ensure that adequate resources are available when incidents exceed the capabilities of any single department.

Strong regional partnerships allow departments to:

  • Maintain coverage when local resources are committed
  • Staff complex or extended incidents safely
  • Continue delivering emergency services despite volunteer shortages

Response Limitations & Transparency

LRFD is a non-staffed, volunteer fire district, and response capability depends entirely on volunteer availability at the time of dispatch.

In 2025, LRFD was unable to respond to six calls:

  • Five were non-life-threatening medical calls where no medically trained responders were available at the time of dispatch
  • One was a request for mutual aid for a public safety call while LRFD was actively operating at a structure fire within our district. The station that would normally have covered that request was already assisting LRFD. Once that unit cleared, it was successfully redirected to respond to the public safety call

These situations highlight the realities of volunteer emergency services and reinforce the importance of mutual aid systems.

Medical & Fire Response Overview

Medical calls continued to represent the largest portion of LRFD’s call volume in 2025. LRFD serves as a first responder agency, providing early patient assessment, scene safety, and initial care while awaiting ambulance transport.

Ambulance services within the LRFD response area are provided by Umpqua Valley Ambulance or Central Douglas Fire & Rescue, depending on incident location, weather, and road conditions.

Fire responses occurred year-round and included structure fires, commercial fires, vehicle and flue fires, natural cover fires, alarms, and smoke investigations, with increased wildland activity during the summer and early fall months.

Thank You to Our Community

Every call answered represents volunteers leaving work, family, and personal time to help their neighbors.

LRFD would like to sincerely thank:

  • Our volunteers and their families for their dedication and sacrifice
  • Our mutual and automatic aid partners for their continued cooperation
  • The Lookingglass community for its trust, patience, and ongoing support

If you are interested in supporting your local fire district, there are many ways to get involved—from operational response roles to vital support positions behind the scenes.