Oregon Coast This Weekend: Wildfire, Oil Spill, DUII on the Dunes, Fatal Crash

Published 06/01/26 at 9:55 p.m.
By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Tillamook, Oregon) – First responders had their hands full this weekend and today along various parts of the Oregon coast. An oil spill in Astoria, a DUII crash on a dune at Dunes City, a fatal accident near Tillamook and two fires occurred in the region in a short period of time. (Above: fire near Winchester Bay - CFPA)

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Columbia River (USCG) reported it responded to an oil spill at Astoria's Pier 2 this weekend.

Port of Astoria staff spotted an oil sheen beneath Pier 2 on May 28, prompting immediate notification of the U.S. Coast Guard and Oregon DEQ and the launch of a unified response. Crews deployed roughly 2,600 feet of containment boom while divers searched for the source.

“Investigations determined the oil originated from a previously undocumented legacy fueling pipeline system beneath the pier containing residual oil,” USCG said. “Divers successfully disconnected the submerged section of pipeline from the pier, capped it, and plugged the pier-side section to prevent any further release. No additional discharge was observed during these operations.”

Astoria oil leak / USCG

Cleanup teams continue working around and beneath the pier, recovering contaminated material and surveying shoreline areas during limited tidal windows. Responders remain on site to monitor conditions and watch for any secondary leaks from remaining legacy piping.

The operation is being coordinated with the Port of Astoria, NOAA, Oregon DEQ, and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, with Unified Command emphasizing environmental protection and minimal disruption to port and fishing activity.

Astoria oil leak / USCG

Winchester Bay Wildfire

Earlier today, firefighters near Winchester Bay worked to contain what was called Half Moon Bay Fire, on mile southwest of the Oregon coast town.

According to Coos Forest Patrol (CFPA), the fire was under control by about 11 a.m.

“Resources have worked diligently through the morning to extinguish a large drift wood pile and surrounding fire spread,” CFPA said. “Crews will remain on scene throughout the day to complete mop up and continue to extinguish hot spots within the containment area.”

Cloverdale Fire

Cloverdale fire / NRFPD

Farther up the Oregon coast, in tiny Cloverdale – just east of Pacific City – a fire erupted at a home.

Nestucca Rural Fire Protection District (NRFPD) responded just after noon Monday to a structure fire on Resort Drive, where crews arrived to find active flames and smoke showing from the home. Firefighters made a quick interior search of both floors and opened the roof for ventilation before locating the fire inside wall cavities and stopping its spread.

CERT volunteers handled traffic control, and Resort Drive remained closed while crews checked for hidden hot spots. North Lincoln Fire & Rescue assisted with fire attack and overhaul, while Tillamook Fire District covered additional calls. Tillamook PUD cut power to the residence, and Adventist Health Tillamook staged medical personnel for firefighter safety.

Drivers were asked to avoid the area until the road reopens.

Lane County Arrest

Lane County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) deputies arrested a Dune City man on May 30 after two people riding in the bed of his pickup fell out and were injured. Deputies were called to the 4600 block of Pacific Avenue around 4 p.m. for a reported injury crash.

“During the investigation it was learned that two occupants were riding in the bed of the truck and fell out,” LCSO said. “These same two occupants were transported to local area hospitals for treatment.”

They were not secured in the truck, the office said.

Investigators learned the two passengers had been riding unsecured in the truck bed when they were ejected. Both were taken to local hospitals for treatment.

The driver, identified as 49-year-old Benjamin Robert Engler of Dune City, was taken into custody on charges of second-degree assault, DUII, and reckless endangering. He was booked into the Lane County Jail.

Tillamook County Fatal Crash

Oregon State Police are investigating a fatal two-vehicle collision that occurred Saturday afternoon, May 30, on Highway 18 near milepost 13.5 in Tillamook County. Troopers were dispatched at 1:18 p.m.

According to the preliminary investigation, a black Cadillac driven by Brandon Westly Joslin, 43, of Scotts Mills, was traveling east near Otis when it failed to negotiate a curve and crossed into the westbound lane. The Cadillac struck a westbound Hyundai Sonata head-on. The Hyundai was operated by 22-year-old Hannah Louise Parsons of Elgin.

A passenger in the Cadillac, 43-year-old Patrick John Stubblefield of Salem, died at the scene. Joslin was transported to a hospital with serious injuries. Parsons and two adult passengers in the Hyundai were also hospitalized with serious injuries.

Highway 18 was partially closed for about three hours during the on-scene investigation. North Lincoln Fire & Rescue, Grand Ronde Emergency Services, and ODOT assisted OSP.

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