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PF&R responds to greater alarm fire on Ross Island

On Saturday afternoon, Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a reported large vegetation fire on Ross Island. This fire grew in intensity and size where a 3^rd alarm fire response was requested to be certain there was significant resources available to address the fire. Crews worked until nightfall and then returned the following day after daybreak to finish the extinguishment process. There was a member from PF&R that was sent home due to heat exhaustion after an on scene medical evaluation. This member has since been medically evaluated again and has recovered and will return to work as scheduled. The cause of this fire is currently under investigation.

The logistics of fighting a mixed fuel land fire on an island takes quite of bit of work and creativity. PF&R Marine Section was actively shuttling firefighters and equipment from Station 21 located just north of the Hawthorne Bridge to the scene of the fire. In addition to shuttling tools and crew members, the fireboats were our only pumping resource, pulling water from the river and pumping up to the crews on land to use in addressing the flames. The items burning on the island were a mixture of dry vegetation, debris and trash associated with Ross Island Sand and Gravel, along with some older outbuildings also associated with the same business. 

Once the crews were on the island and a water system was set up, PF&R crews worked a solid 6 hours until nightfall arrived. With the fire having been reduced significantly and nearly completely extinguished along with communication with Ross Island Sand and Gravel that none of their property had any business value, a decision was made to pull all crews off the island overnight and return the following day to address any remaining fire. The conditions of the terrain and lack of any natural light led to a safety decision to pull the crews and return the next day. PF&R worked an additional 2 hours yesterday to finish up the extinguishment process. The stations that responded are now locating, cleaning, and returning all tools used in this incident back to their respective rigs so they can be used again when responding to another wild land fire. We are early in the season and will continue to be pulling out our specific wild land fire suppression gear quite often over the next few months.

This was the second greater alarm land fire in a week where our marine program was heavily involved in the suppression efforts. The fireboats provided significant amounts of water in both these greater alarm fires and the rescue boats were used as shuttles for the Ross Island incident. Unlike the greater alarm fire at Radius Recycling, where the fireboats were pumping to an engine that could adjust the water pressure according to the down stream needs at the nozzle, the pump operator of the fireboat not only had to continuously monitor the water intake from the river, but also was required to adjust the water pressures so those on the end of the hand lines had the proper amount of water and water pressure to safely address the task at hand. The success of this effort is the result of many hours of planning and training on the part of all members within PF&R. Not only those line firefighters, but all involved in the design and maintenance of the vessels, those that plan the interactive training sessions of the land based and marine based programs, and those that creatively look at a tool and find additional benefits to put to use down the road.

The vessels within the Marine Fleet are essential tools that are instrumental in our operations many times throughout the year. The many generations of vessel are maintained at a high level of operation by the Portland Fire Logistics Section and the Emergency Vehicle Technicians on staff. In the case of the Radius Recycling fire, there were 3 generations of boat in operation. One of these vessels, The David Campbell, is nearly 100 years old and has seen her fair share of dock and marina fires, is still providing needed assistance when needed. Portland Fire used both the Rescue Boats, that are designed primarily for quick maneuvering to perform a river rescue, to shuttle crews and equipment to the island, and the newest generation of fireboat to pump the water to the crews. In both greater alarm fires, our crews working the land side of these marine based fires would have had a significant extension of the time involved in addressing both these emergencies had the marine program not been there to provide increased water availability and other required tasks. Without the continued efforts of those firefighters within the Marine Program along with the schedule and emergency repairs performed by the EVT’s, the successes of our suppression in and around the waterways, like a large fire on Ross Island, would not be possible.

Portland Fire would like to thank the cooperation received from Ross Island Sand and Gravel along with the assistance of the dispatch center at BOEC while addressing this large extended operation on Ross Island. 

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Smoke from scrap metal fire.

PF&R responds to fire at metal recycling facility.

At just after 1 PM, Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a reported fire at Radius Recycling affiliated with Schnitzer Steel with reports of a fire in a scrap metal pile. This large mixed metal pile filled with smashed cars, appliances, and other large metal objects was scheduled to go through the industrial shredder located adjacent to this large pile. The fire was eventually raised to a 4^th alarm assignment with engines, trucks, fireboats, and other personnel from all over the city to address the large fire. Four hours after the first alarm was sent, the command officer considered the situation under control and called for a recall of the incident with all companies assigned to continue working. There were no reported injuries to responders or plant personnel.

The location of this incident was a dense industrial area in N. Portland to the east of the Willamette River with the property being bordered on the west and north by waterways. The large pile was showing signs of significant fire upon arrival and the command officer directed crews to prepare for a “surround and drown” operation where crews attach to a fire hydrant and pump to a ladder truck with their aerial ladders extended so 1200 to 2000 gpm of water can flow from the tips of these elevated nozzles and apply a large volume of water on the fire. Yard hydrants not affiliated the main city grid provided ample volume and pressure of water for all in use. In addition to using fire hydrants located on the property, two different fire boats were captained to the location and acted as a pumping vessel by pulling water directly from the river and into large diameter hose to aid in the water supply needed to suppress the fire. 

Plant personnel assisted in reducing the size of the fuel pile by using large articulating claws to reach into the pile, pull out a full load and deposit it away from the burning material. To prevent fire spread, crews used handheld nozzles and directed the stream at each claw load to prevent this new material from igniting the ever-growing spoil piles as the material was being relocated. 

This type of a fire is heavy on the need for equipment and less intense on human operations and activity. The 4^th alarm requested was to continue to have available tools and engines needed to access water and produce the pressures required to move the volume of water through all hose lines used to reduce the flames. Just before 5 PM, the command officers began to implement a plan to release companies who were not committed to performing work nor was their equipment involved in the transfer and application of water. With nearly 100 firefighters on scene, crews from across the city were strategically moved to best cover the city with companies traditionally operating out of Argay Heights in outer NE Portland relocated to the University Park Neighborhood. Additionally, there were stations on the periphery of the city staffed by members of our mutual aid partners from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue aiding in the coverage of the SW part of town. 

PF&R EOPS Division would like to recognize the work performed by the Emergency Vehicle Technicians and other PF&R Logistics Section personnel during this event. They responded to the scene to evaluate the working rigs to be certain the extended operation would be successful along with providing fuel for the apparatus in use and food for the personnel on scene. The EVT’s are an essential, and often invisible, portion of our success day in and day out. Portland Fire would like to also thank the crews that responded to the fire from Vancouver Fire to help us at the location for the first few hours. Lastly, with 3 different fire channels being used at one point in this fire, PF&R would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by the emergency dispatch center in this greater alarm fire. 

All water used in this incident was captured by the on-site water collection system which will capture the water, strain out the particulates, and run it through the onsite purification process reducing the concerns of contaminated run off entering the watershed. PF&R recommends that if you are within the downwind pathway of the smoke from this, and any other fire, that you close your windows and shelter in place to reduce the harmful effects of the smoke on your respiratory system.

The companies on scene 6 hours after this incident began are beginning to be replaced by fire watch crews as the command staff is putting plans in place to have enough equipment in operation on scene to continue to extinguish the fire while releasing as many members as possible back to their home stations. Fire watch crews are planned to be at the site until midnight and will continue until the fire is completely extinguished.

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PF&R 2024 Firework Season Data

Portland Fire & Rescue has what we are calling preliminary data available for the 2024 Fireworks Season. This “season” was established years ago, when personal fireworks were permitted within the City of Portland and coincides with the historical opening dates of the fireworks stands in the city. That opening date currently aligns with the areas surrounding the City of Portland where the sale of personal fireworks is permitted which make the access to personal fireworks, while banned within the city, quite easy to obtain. These numbers are considered tentative as we have a member of the investigations team on leave and are awaiting their return to finalize the numbers, but we would like you to have what we know up to this point as the season ended 10 days ago. We have included this year’s data along with the previous three years to allow you to better evaluate 2024 in comparison to recent history.

As you can see, this year PF&R responded to fewer fires within the season along with on July 4^th and there were not any injuries reported because of personal fireworks. That isn’t to say the crews were not quite active on emergency responses throughout the season and on July 4^th itself, it just indicates that the definitive cause of the fire was determined to be something other than fireworks related. When considering there were 2 greater alarm fires to address on July 4^th, with one having members on scene all night long, those that were on duty that day put some miles on the rigs and pulled quite a bit of hose that night.

FIREWORKS STATISTICS

PRELIMINARY 2024 –

• Fireworks Season (June 23 through July 6)
  • 185 fires (29 fireworks caused)
  • Structure fires: 41 (0 fireworks caused)
  • Vehicle fires: 14 (0 fireworks caused)
  • Injuries: 0 (0 fireworks caused)
  • Fourth of July
    • 38 fires (14 fireworks caused)
    • Structure fires: 5 (0 fireworks caused)
    • Vehicle fires: 2 (0 fireworks caused)
    • Injuries: 0 (0 fireworks caused)
• 2023 –
  • Fireworks Season (June 23 through July 6)
    • 336 fires (46 fireworks caused)
    • Structure fires: 58 (4 fireworks caused)
    • Vehicle fires: 22 (2 fireworks caused)
    • Injuries: 2 (0 fireworks caused)
  • Fourth of July
    • 67 fires (30 fireworks caused)
    • Structure fires: 10 (2 fireworks caused)
    • Vehicle fires: 4 (1 fireworks caused)
    • Injuries: 1 (0 fireworks caused)
• 2022 – 
  • Fireworks Season (June 23 through July 6)
    • 224 fires (10 fireworks caused)
    • Structure fires: 48 (2 fireworks caused)
    • Vehicle fires: 23 (3 fireworks caused)
    • Injuries: 1 (0 fireworks caused)
  • Fourth of July
    • 20 fires (3 fireworks caused)
    • Structure fires: 8 (2 fireworks caused)
    • Vehicle fires: 0 (0 fireworks caused)
    • Injuries: 0 (0 fireworks caused)
• 2021 – Tentative (1 fire from 7/4, still under investigation and included in these numbers)
  • Fireworks Season (June 23 through July 6)
    • 307 fires (15 fireworks caused)
    • Structure fires: 59 (1 fireworks caused)
    • Vehicle fires: 36 (0 fireworks caused)
    • Injuries: 5 (4 fireworks caused, resulting in 3 fire deaths)
  • Fourth of July
    • 31 fires (3 fireworks caused)
    • Structure fires: 6 (1 fireworks caused)
    • Vehicle fires: 2 (0 fireworks caused)
    • Injuries: 4 (4 fireworks caused, resulting in 3 fire deaths)

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PF&R hosting "Portland Metro Fire Camp”

A free firefighting camp for girls aged 16-22.

• Media Invite
• Saturday July 13, 2024
• 10 AM to Noon
• 4800 NE 122^nd Avenue, Portland, OR 97230

Portland Fire & Rescue will be hosting the 16^th annual Portland Metro Fire Camp over the weekend. This camp was started in 2009 and has since been operated and staffed by professional female firefighters. Portland Metro Fire Camp, PMFC for short, is a non-profit organization with a mission “to regularly provide collaborative, supportive, and educational fire service environments with women, by women and specifically for young women with the goal of increasing knowledge and awareness of firefighting and other nontraditional career paths for young women and empowering those who participate.” 

This year's camp, as in all other years, is staffed by professional female firefighters from all over the PNW and greater Western United States. The community involvement of women firefighters from all over the US allows participants to see the opportunities in the fire service on a grand scale. The 44-participant camp will operate from July 12-14 at the Portland Fire Training Center located at 4800 NE 122^nd Avenue in the Argay Terrace Neighborhood.

Portland Metro Fire Camp, having 14 campers its first year back in 2009, has since grown in popularity. So much so that the PMFC community engaged TVF&R to host a second Portland Metro Fire Camp in 2018. The first of the two camps occurred just a few weeks ago at the Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue training center in June. 

Between the two camps, Portland Metro Fire Camps will introduce almost 100 young women this year to firefighting and other male dominated careers as well as empower and encourage them to pursue their most ambitious dreams! Now 16 years later, many of the instructors—professional firefighters—who staff Portland Metro Fire Camp were actually campers at this very camp before pursuing careers in the fire service. This year, one of the Portland Firefighter instructors is a former camp attendee herself who was recently hired and has passed her training time with Portland Fire & Rescue. She will be on campus and likely available to connect with media during the above available time.

During the open media invitation, the camp staff will guide those visiting to each “station” in operation. The “stations” all address a different aspect of firefighting and include Search & Rescue, bailout of a window, fire hose handling, chainsaw operation, aerial ladder climb, learning to tie knots, Emergency Medicine, forcible entry, and vehicle extrication (Jaws of Life). As you can see, this is an all-encompassing camp, and we are looking forward to introducing the campers to these skills and hope to see them pursing firefighting or other careers they may not have known were available to them in years to come.

Please contact PMFC Nonprofit President and Camp Director Lt. Terra Vandewiele for more information. Terra.Vandewiele@Portlandoregon.gov  | https://www.portlandmetrofirecamp.com/about

Fire damage to building at 814 NE 28th

PF&R-PPB Fire Investigation Unit place two into custody

Arson Investigators were busy this morning with two simultaneous arrests.  The first arrest stemmed from an incident that occurred on May 30^th, 2024.  The suspect ignited several small fires in the vicinity of their own apartment, in an area of SE 80^th Ave between E Burnside and SE Stark St.  The suspect, after lighting several small non-hostile fires, set two fires on the exterior of an occupied apartment building, where the occupant was asleep inside.  Investigators identified the suspect as KAYLA SCHUMACHER shortly after the incident, but were unable to locate the suspect and place her into custody.  This morning, after receiving a tip from a concerned citizen, Arson Investigators along with PPB Patrol Officers from East Precinct responded immediately, located SCHUMACHER and placed her into custody.  SCHUMACHER was lodged on one count of Arson in the first degree.  The motive is unknown currently.

While Arson Investigators were interviewing SCHUMACHER, two other Arson Investigators were held over from an exhausting 24-hour shift in order to conduct follow up related to two fires that occurred earlier this morning near 814 NE 28^th Avenue.  These fires occurred between 2am and 3:30 am.  During this investigation, they discovered two additional unreported fires in the same vicinity and time frame.  Fire #1 was an intentional fire started on the exterior of a houseless camp where the occupant was asleep inside.  Fire #2 was to a recycling bin across the street, Fire #3 was an attempted arson to the commercial building at 2808 NE Sandy Blvd.  Fire #4 was an intentional fire ignited at the same houseless camp as Fire #1.  This fire grew rapidly and extended to the Commercial Building at 814 NE 28^th Avenue.  This commercial building is of a taxpayer setup with occupied apartments above.  Through the follow up investigation, evidence was located which provided investigators with a suspect description.  Two investigators conducted an area check of the surrounding neighborhood to look for the suspect.  The suspect later identified as JON MARTIN was located at another houseless camp nearby.  Arson Investigators placed him into custody with the assistance of PPB Central Precinct Officers.  MARTIN was lodged on 3 counts of Arson in the First Degree, 1 count of Arson II, 1 count of attempted Arson II, and Reckless Burning.  The motive is unknown currently.

The penalties for Arson in the First Degree, a Class A Felony, are punishable up to 20 years in prison with fines potentially reaching $375,000. The minimum sentence if convicted of a Class A Felony is a 90-month sentence. Arson II, a Class C Felony, is punishable up to 5 years in prison along with up to $125,000 in fines. Reckless Burning is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable up to 1 year in prison and $650 in fines.

The Portland Fire Investigations Unit comprises fire investigators with Portland Fire & Rescue, who are sworn law enforcement officers, and a detective with the Portland Police Bureau. The collaboration leverages the specialized training and skills needed to investigate fires, including analysis equipment and accelerant detecting dogs.

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This afternoon at 12:57 PM PF&R responded to a house on fire (4300 block of NE 102nd). On arrival firefighters found fire burning in a garage and moving up the wall of the house into the attic. Crews searched the house to ensure no one was trapped and began fighting the fire. One person was located on scene, outside the fire, having a medical issue that doesn't appear life threatening. They were evaluated on scene and transported to the hospital.

This fire was difficult to extinguish due to down power lines and other hazards including outside temperatures hovering around 100 degrees. It is very difficult for firefighters to avoid heat exhaustion in these conditions. Firefighing clothing is heavily insulated and doesn't breath well. This helps protect from burns and toxic smoke to some extent, but it also traps heat. In very hot weather even removing gear can be an ineffective cooling strategy. This means crews must be rotated more often and must constantly hydrate. 

The fire was extinguished and the cause is under investigation. No injuries or other medical issues were reported. 

Your Portland Firefighters are very busy because of the heat and we need your help! Here are a few things you can do to help us to keep you safe:

-Stay hydrated and avoid heavy exertion during the hottest part of the day if possible.

-Check on relatives, friends and neighbors. Elderly people and those with medical conditions have a harder time adapting to extreme temperatures.

-People and pets should never be left in vehicles as interior temperatures can quickly become deadly.

Body of fire early on in the incident.

Portland Fire responds to multiple greater alarm fires before 10 PM

Portland Fire & Rescue responded to what ended up being a 3^rd alarm fire in NE Portland in the evening of July 4, 2024. An external fire at a pallet recycling location extended into many large piles of pallets. The fire extended into the home structure that doubled as the business office. There were no reported injuries, and the fire is under investigation.

At 7:30 PM, PF&R was dispatched to a possible structural fire in the Cully Neighborhood, near Whitaker Ponds Natural Area in NE Portland. A responding officer reported a significant smoke column or header on approach and another officer reporting the location was a pallet storage location. This set the tone for all responders that this was going to be a significant fire. Initial command officer was directing crews to capture all close hydrants as it was obvious based on the size of the fire and the large fuel load that this incident required quite a bit of water to extinguish. The first arriving battalion chief arrived and assumed command and quickly called a 2^nd alarm, doubling the response for additional resources. This 2^nd alarm was then followed by the tactical change from an offensive fire attack model to a defensive tactic, removing firefighters from inside the structure of the property as there was now an extremely large volume of fire throughout the structure and many tall stacks of pallets on fire, pushing flames up to 30’ in the air, posing a significant danger to the firefighters on the inside. This tactical change led to a Personal Accountability Report (PAR) from the command officer to be certain that all members working on scene were accounted for. There was a partial structural collapse of the building shortly after the PAR was complete with all members successfully accounted for.

With a strong breeze out of the NW and the large body of fire, there was a concern of this fire extending to neighboring structures. With a need for more personnel and equipment, the command officer called a 3^rd alarm response, which brings the number of responders to nearly 75 firefighters. These firefighters were placed into divisions for a better ability to control the safety of those working this scene. As the wind was pushing fire close to the neighboring structures, the focus was to protect all exposure homes and businesses while keeping the fire limited to the pallets located on the property. Four aerial ladder trucks flowing 1200 to 2000 gallons per minute each from above along with many handheld hoses applying water to the structure and piles of pallets. The Port of Portland Fire Department responded with a specialized AARF rig and dumped their 3000g tank onto the fire as well in about 2 minutes. 

Within an hour the large body of fire was reduced and under control with crews having the ability to alter the number of hoses needed to completely extinguish the fire. The cause of this fire is under investigation. With a 3^rd alarm assignment called to this location, many available rigs from across the city were relocated so the available engines and trucks in service were strategically placed throughout the city by Portland Fire Liaison Officer, to best respond to the incoming incidents throughout our response area.

As this 3^rd alarm pallet fire was ending, a residential fire broke out in the North Tabor Neighborhood near Montavilla Park at 9:15 PM. This was a triplex residential structure with 8 residents living in the three occupancies. There were no injuries reported on this fire and all occupants were able to get outside safely. There were reports of 2 cats within the structure but with no fire damage on the interior it is assumed the cats are hiding within the home unharmed.

Fire crews arrived to have fire showing in the attic space and on the exterior of the building. Interior searches led to clear conditions in the living spaces with no evidence of fire damage present during the search performed by crews upon arrival. Fire was obviously running through what appeared to be an open attic space without fire blocks. At one point, there was fire showing through all roof vents with no fire activity in the living spaces below. With the heavy fire showing throughout the entire attic, the command officer requested a second alarm assignment in the event more personnel were needed. The crews on scene quickly addressed the existing flames and all second assignment companies were released prior to being assigned or even arriving at the incident. 

The cause of this triplex residential fire was a BBQ falling over and igniting the siding of the structure which ran up the wall and into the attic spaces. All residents will be displaced and Red Cross has been contacted to assist in this relocation.

Portland Fire would like to thank Portland Police for their assistance in traffic control and protecting our hose lines from being run over and damaged, the dispatchers at BOEC for this assistance in monitoring both fires, Pacific Power for responding and deenergizing the overhead and dropline powerlines, and to the Port of Portland for their assistance with their specialized rig. We would also like to thank the Red Cross for their assistance in providing relocation of those displaced by the residential fire.

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NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Multnomah County Fire Departments & Districts to Implement Summer Burn Ban Starts Today

Multnomah County, OR - The Multnomah County Fire Defense Board has announced a burn ban for all areas of Multnomah County. The Multnomah County Fire Defense Board, comprised of local fire chiefs within the district or chief officers with authority to make decisions on behalf of a fire chief, serves a crucial role in supporting the Department of the State Fire Marshal’s “Oregon Fire Service Mobilization Plan” as identified in ORS 476.590. Additionally, these boards facilitate local fire agency business at the county area level, including planning, prevention, and mutual & auto-aid agreements toward fire suppression efforts.

A strategic approach to implementing a burn ban considers the County’s agricultural concerns and aligns with the weather forecast provided by the Pacific Northwest Geographic Area Coordinating Center. This ban includes backyard burning, recreational campfires and fire pits, and agricultural burning (including agricultural wastes, crops, field burning, and permitted open burning for land clearing, slash, stump, debris, or controlled burning). The complete burn ban will remain in effect throughout the summer weather season.

Residents are encouraged to contact their local Fire Department/District for detailed information. 

503-618-3083 for Gresham, Troutdale, Wood Village, Fairview, Fire District 10

503-809-4372 (Option 2) for Corbett Fire District 14

503-621-1242 for Sauvie Island District 30

503-823-3700 for Portland Fire & Rescue - General Information

While outdoor barbecuing using grills, smokers, and similar cooking appliances remains permissible, residents are urged to exercise utmost caution. When using charcoal briquettes, ensure proper disposal of ashes in a covered metal container away from combustibles, and keep the ashes wet for several days before disposal. Maintain a minimum distance of ten feet between outdoor cooking setups and anything combustible, such as siding, fences, or shrubbery.

Smokers are reminded to extinguish cigarettes completely before disposal. Residents in rural settings are asked to maintain defensible space around structures by monitoring vegetation growth around homes and structures and ensuring adequate access to firefighting equipment.

Contact your local fire department for further information.

BURN BAN IN EFFECT

A burn ban has been issued by the Fire Marshal due to forecasted high temperatures, limited rainfall, and ongoing dry conditions effectively immediately for the City of Portland. The burn ban includes recreational campfires, fire pits, yard debris, agricultural burning and permits issued for open burning until further notice. The burn ban will remain in effect throughout the summer weather season.

Outdoor barbecuing (grills, smokers, and similar cooking appliances with clean, dry firewood, briquettes, wood chips, pellets, propane, natural gas, or similar fuels) are allowed; however, residents should exercise extreme caution. When using charcoal briquettes, please properly dispose of the ashes in a covered metal container away from combustibles, and keep the ashes wet for a few days before properly disposing of them. Maintain at least ten feet between outdoor cooking and anything combustible such as siding, fences, shrubbery, etc.

Ensure all cigarettes/cigars are extinguished prior to disposal.

Those living in rural areas are asked to maintain their defensible space by monitoring growth surrounding homes and structures, and to maintain adequate access for firefighting equipment. 

Contact Portland Fire & Rescue 503-823-3700 for additional information.

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Firework display from Waterfront Park.

Ban on personal fireworks use in the City of Portland

In the spring of 2022, the City Council passed a unanimous ban on the use and sale of personal use fireworks within the city limits of Portland. This was on the heels of a fire ending in a triple fatality within the city the previous year and the memory of the Eagle Creek Fire in the gorge still quite fresh that was also started using personal fireworks. PF&R along with all other fire agencies respond to personal tragedy every year because of firework use that can all be avoided.

As things dry out with the summer heat, the vegetation that runs throughout the city becomes drier presenting easily available fuels for a fire to spread. A small spark from a firework can hit dry vegetation and get things started. Add the possibilities of wind, and we could be in for quite a challenge. PF&R is already responding to many grass, brush, and vegetations fires without the added spark provided by personal fireworks.

Portland Fire & Rescue would like to encourage all within the city limits to adhere to the ban as each year, we respond to many fires and injuries through the fireworks season that starts on June 23-July 6 that can be avoided by adhering to the Fireworks Ban put into place for the safety of our community. We encourage you to connect with your friends and family on July 4, enjoy time together as you celebrate the 248^th Independence Day and make plans to attend professional fireworks display in the area. (There are few listed below.)

Festival Happenings - Waterfront Blues Festival

4th of July Spectacular (oakspark.com)

Fireworks in Lake Oswego | City of Lake Oswego

https://www.fireworksinthedalles.com

https://hoodriverfireworks.com/4th-of-july/

4th of July Family Festival | City of Happy Valley (happyvalleyor.gov)

(Previous PR had information from Hillsboro ND - My apologies)

Enjoy your Fourth but do so safely so we can all talk about the great Independence Day we had on July 5^th rather than discussing a significant emergency incident that is completely preventable. 

Don't Risk It – Leave it to the professionals.

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