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Oregon Rural Action calls for investigation into truck fire | News from Tri-Cities/Yakima

BOARDMAN, Oregon – Oregon Rural Action (ORA) is calling for an investigation into the fire of an ORA employee’s pickup truck on Monday, November 27, in rural Morrow County.

In a press release, the ORA said it found the burning truck in front of a property and noted that state deputies had visited the property an hour earlier.

“The fact that this truck appears to have been intentionally set on fire at the exact time we were hosting a delegation of Oregon lawmakers makes this incident extremely concerning,” said ORA Executive Director Kristin Ostrom.

According to ORA, the Boardman Fire Department responded to the fire and Fire Chief Marty Broadbent described the fire as “suspicious.”

Ostrom is also calling on state, regional and local authorities to protect ORA employees and community members.

“We are deeply concerned that this violent action could send a message to members of rural communities and Oregon Rural Action that we should stop our efforts to provide clean drinking water,” Ostrom said. “Clean drinking water is a fundamental right for all, including rural residents.”