Oregon Coast Weekend: Missing 4-Year-Old Near Oceanside, Brush Fire Threatens Lincoln City

Udpated 07/05/26 at 4:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Lincoln City, Oregon) – SEE THE UPDATES ON THIS FIRE STORY ---- July Fourth weekend has ended up unpleasantly eventful on the Oregon coast, with a large brush fire threatening homes in Lincoln City and a young girl gone missing for a long period of time near Oceanside. (Photo LCPD)

A major brush fire erupted on a hillside in Lincoln City after authorities say a group of at least eight people had been playing with fireworks. It has taken hours to get under control, with North Lincolns Fire and Rescue (NLFR) first posting about the blaze near 10 p.m. and then finally about 3 a.m. indicating crews were mostly finished. See the video / original post

Responding to the scene with NLFR were Depoe Bay Fire District, Newport Fire Department and Oregon Department of Forestry.

Exactly when it began is difficult to discern at this point, as numerous fires were reported to Lincoln County 911 dispatch earlier in the day and evening.

About 10 p.m., crews had shut down SW Coast Ave., with the fire happening along the west-facing hillside above the beach on the 1600 block.

As of 11 p.m., Lincoln City Police Department (LCPD) reported eight suspects were in custody for starting the fire.

By midnight and 1 a.m., crews were still working to put out the fire. Some homes were getting evacuated.

Also see Adorable Fawn Rescued from - of All Places - A Rooftop in Oregon Coast's Astoria - Baby deer needs rescue on 4th of July: Reminder of wildlife encounter issues

“Some Level Two evacuations have been put in place as a precaution,” said LCPD. “Lincoln City Police Department have been making door to door notifications.”

However, shortly after 1 a.m., evacuation levels were lowered to “Level One – Be Ready” status for a handful of addresses on the west side of the road that were closest to the fire.

At 3 a.m., officials said: “Fire units are finishing up. One crew will stay and monitor.” Most engines had left the scene.

An epilogue with the final update at 3 p.m. from NLFR: 15:00 - “Fire crews have mopped up the fire. Due to extreme (near vertical) terrain hot spots may still appear. Crews have returned to their stations but will continue to monitor the fire area throughout the day. “

There were various calls to 911 about fires in Lincoln City, including a cardboard box fire at a park, a complaint about fireworks at Logan Road (much farther north) and at least one call about the brush fire near the Canyon Drive beach access.

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Photos courtesy NOFD

Near Oceanside, rescuers are calling it a “4th of July Miracle.”

Netarts-Oceanside Fire District (NOFD) said earlier in the day a four-year-old girl became separated from her family while visiting Cape Lookout State Park.

NOFD did not say how long the girl had been missing, and no details, but it had apparently been a few hours. She was eventually found some five miles north, up the beach at the edge of the Netarts Bay Spit.

“Child was hypothermic and dehydrated. Child was transported to Adventist Health Tillamook in good condition,” the department said.

A virtual army of rescuers were called out to assist, and the NOFD had high praise for a tight operation.

“INCREDIBLE response by State Park Rangers, Netarts Oceanside FD SAR and Drone teams, Tillamook Sheriff’s Department, Tillamook County Search and Rescue Team, US Coast Guard Tillamook Bay with ocean and ground resources, US Coast Guard Astoria with helicopter resources, Tillamook Ambulance with fantastic paramedic team and EVER AWESOME Tillamook 911 Center supporting ALL the agencies,” NOFD said. See original post

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