Sherrell on the job as ranch fire chief

Ed Sherrell has taken the reins as fire chief at Black Butte Ranch. Sherrell succeeds the retiring Darrell Churchill.

Sherrell, who served Hood River for almost 14 years, said he has often vacationed in the Sisters area and was attracted by the beauty of the country.

"It's a chief's dream to do his work in the country he loves best," Sherrell said. "I'm proud to have been chosen."

Sherrell inherits leadership of what he called "a very progressive department."

There are six career staff serving the ranch, along with nine volunteers who serve as part of their education in fire science.

The staff is, Sherrell noted, eager to learn, eager to train."

They also have first-class equipment to work with. Ranch residents recently approved the purchase of a new wildland interface engine, a ladder rig and two ambulances.

Sherrell doesn't forsee major changes in the department.

"It's working really well," he said. "There's no immediate changes that need to be made."

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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