Jackson County Fire District 3 officials reported a trailer, used for the district's Risk Reduction and Fuels Reduction program, was stolen from behind a locked gate last week.

Jackson County Fire District 3 was struck by the Grinch just in time for Christmas.

District officials reported a flatbed trailer, valued at $7,500, was stolen from FD3’s White City administration building sometime between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

The trailer, described as a 20-foot, 2017 Fabform with “Versatile” printed on a reflective sticker on the sides, was stored behind a locked gate. Whoever stole the trailer cut a lock to gain access, officials said.

Division Chief John Patterson said firefighters usually fair pretty well with old Saint Nick.

Contending with “a mean one” hadn’t been on the district’s radar this year.

“It’s sad to think that someone would steal anything from anyone. It feels worse when the theft is against a public emergency service agency tasked with helping people during the toughest days in their life,” Patterson said.

“All of our equipment is used in the support of our mission in one way or another.”

District 3 officials said the trailer was part of the district’s Risk Reduction and Fuels Reduction program.

The program provides assessments for, and loans equipment to, rural property owners who might lack the resources to reduce fire fuels by removing hazardous green waste from around their properties.

District Chief Mike Hussey said the district had experienced only a few problems with theft, though the locked storage area had been broken into before, and parts taken off wrecked vehicles used for department training.

Of the trailer theft, Hussey quipped, “I guess somebody needed a sleigh to pull.”

Patterson asked community members to keep an eye out for family members who might show off a new-to-them trailer this holiday season.

“If you encounter someone who gifted themselves the ownership of our trailer, please convince them to do the right thing,” he said.

“Otherwise, may they only receive a lump of coal until they restore to us what we use to protect our communities.”

Anyone with information on the trailer is asked to contact the Jackson County Sheriff Office at 541-776-7206 and reference case no. 24-6844.