Boardman community organizer’s truck catches fire; labeled ‘suspicious’

Oregon Public Broadcasting - By Antonio Sierra - Nov. 28, 2023

A truck belonging to an organizer against nitrate pollution in Eastern Oregon burned at a Boardman home shortly after three state legislators visited the home Monday as a part of a tour.

The Boardman Fire Rescue District considers the fire “suspicious” but closed its investigation without determining a cause. No one was injured by the fire, nor did the fire spread beyond the vehicle before firefighters extinguished it.

Oregon Rural Action, a group based out of La Grande that has been active in pushing state officials to address decades of groundwater pollution in Morrow and Umatilla counties, announced the fire in a press release Monday. The group called on local and state authorities to fully investigate the fire and protect its employees.