Online Fireworks Reporting Tool Press Conference Scheduled - 06/29/26

PFR Respond To Two Overnight Housefires In SE PDX (Photo) - 06/24/26

PFR respond to two overnight housefires in SE PDX

At just after 2 AM, PF&R crews were dispatched to a reported fire in a duplex located in the SE Portland Hazelwood Neighborhood. This duplex fire was called into the dispatch center by multiple individuals each indicating seeing both flames and smoke present at the location with one of the callers the occupant of the non-affected half of the duplex.

This fire response places 4 engines, 2 trucks, a heavy rescue squad, and 2 chiefs enroute to this emergency which is 30 of the 171 on-duty members assigned to this incident with many of the firefighters on the east side of town focused on this incident. Station 7 from the Mill Park Neighborhood arrives first with their fire engine and fire truck. Each crew begins to perform the essential tasks upon arrival appropriate for their apparatus. The fire engine    crew begins to establish the critical water supply to a fire hydrant and stretch hose to the structure while the members assigned to the truck begin to investigate the structure by performing a 360 walkaround, gaining entry in the residence, and reporting to command the conditions. Small fire located in a room on the back side of the home by Truck 7 crew that directs the Engine crew to the location to extinguish. Lots of smoke present but low levels of heat is reported along with the critical information of heavy clutter throughout the home. Engine 7 did extinguish the fire but with many light fuels strewn about the interior, crews were forced to remove many objects near the fire to ensure the fire did not extend out into the structure.

As crews were addressing the fire within the duplex in Hazelwood, another residential fire located 2 miles away in the Mill Park Neighborhood was called into the dispatch center at 2:24 AM. With all the firefighters in the area already on scene and assigned to the first fire called into the dispatch center the responders assigned to the second fire were coming from a much further distance than normal including many from our mutual aid partners to the east Gresham Fire.  An increased travel time to an incident can have significant effect on the outcome when seconds often matter in these significant emergencies.  With the first fire under control, the command officer released all unassigned companies to the next fire and left this first incident to be addressed by the crew of Engine 7 and all were headed toward the reported second fire of the hour.

Radio reports to responding crews were heavy fire from the windows and roof were present with many callers from the neighborhood. Additional information was "sounds of screaming" from the interior was reported along with information that there is a disabled adult relative who often stays at this location. These three pieces of information set the tone for the actions that will be taken upon arrival to the scene with all members preparing to address a significant fire with multiple possible rescues. On top of this, the orange glow and header (smoke column) made it obvious there was singnificant work to be done upon arrival.

Squad 12 was the first arriving rig to the second fire located near the intersection of SE 141^st and Main and confirmed the location to be completely involved with fire and directed the back seat team to perform a 360 and perform rescue if possible. Neighbors who were outside as Squad 12 arrived reported the crew went directly to work protecting their home and all other nearby structures while also making entry into the home to locate anyone on the interior. The remainder of the crews who departed the first fire arrived shortly after Squad 12, including the battalion chief who took command, and all went to work on minimizing this fire and searching the affected home. This large group of PF&R crews released from the first fire allowed the command officer to return all the distant companies not yet on scene including those from Gresham so they were available to address any other emergencies that are certain to occur as response reliability is critical for all first responder agencies.

Crews focused on preventing the fire from jumping to the neighbors while also reducing the body of fire in the home to return to making access to the interior in hopes of locating an occupant or pet. Once the command officer saw it was safe to enter, crews made entry with significant fire still present to search the structure. Primary and secondary searches by interior crews located multiple dogs that did not survive the incident along with a dog that was viable and transported to Dove Lewis Animal Hospital following on scene oxygen therapy. There was no evidence of any current human occupancy of the structure found at the time of the fire on either the primary or secondary search. With obvious potential for occupancy, crews proactively interviewed all neighbors regarding the possibility of someone being on the inside. Neighbors confirmed that often when the car is not present which was the case overnight that the owner is not home nor the handicapped relative.

Crews worked to extinguish the body of fire throughout the single-story ranch style home for the next 30 minutes. Quick work by the first arriving crews that were able to break away from the first fire led to saving the homes on either side of this residence and neither family will be forced to relocate. The residents of the home that experienced the fire will be assisted by the Red Cross in their home displacement.

The cause of each of these fires is under investigation. There were no reported injuries to humans in either incident (resident or responder). Three dogs did not survive the Mill Park Fire with another transported to Dove Lewis Hospital by the crew of Rescue 31. It should be noted the owner of the home in the second fire was contacted by Dove Lewis to report they had the dog, and it was this phone call that alerted him to the fire in his home.

Portland Fire would like to thank the dispatchers at BOEC who helped us in each of these incidents. In addition, PF&R would like to thank our mutual aid responders from Gresham Fire, who were initially dispatched on the second fire and quickly responded in our direction to assist in this incident.

PF&R members dispatched to both fires – 46

Gresham Fire members dispatched to second fire - 8

###

PF&R Responds To Multiple Van Fire Overnight (Photo) - 06/22/26

PF&R Responds to multiple van fire overnight

At just before 2:30 AM Portland Fire was dispatched to a potential vegetation fire near the Rivian Dealership and Service Center in SW Portland in the South Portland Neighborhood. This incident was called into the dispatch center by multiple passerby vehicles reporting trees on fire with one of the callers possibly identifying a van also on fire. This type of incident will send a single fire engine as the responder. Engine 4 arrived to find multiple Amazon Prime Electric Vans on fire which elevated this call to a commercial fire response adding 5 engines, 2 trucks, a heavy squad and 2 chief officers. This fire has been determined to be intentionally set and being investigated as arson with the PF&R-PPB Fire Investigations Unit is looking for any information that may help identify an individual or group responsible for setting this fire.

The initial response of the on-scene crews was to protect all exposures to the vans on fire. While cooling the vans is a critical part of this effort, the bulk of work performed on scene so to protect the structures, other neighboring vehicles, and any more trees that are involved in the fire. As crews arrived on scene, they were assigned a task to reduce the dangers presented by the fire that consuming what was four (4) Amazon Prime Delivery Vans. The battery compartments of these vehicles contains rechargeable battery cells that become extremely difficult to extinguish once they have reached ignition or have gone into a state of thermal runaway. In order for these Lithium-Ion batteries to be completely extinguished, they either must be completely encapsulated by water or the fuel needs to be completely consumed by fire. The crews on scene were forced to allow the battery cells to completely consume themselves with fire prior to the fire being completely extinguished. Crews protected exposures until the fire had consumed the battery cells and were then able to finish the extinguishment of any non-battery remnants of the shell of the former delivery vans. The crews remained on scene for nearly 90 minutes preventing any extension of this fire to any new objects and kept the fire to the 4 vans. 

The toxins within the smoke produced by the fire are extremely toxic and all responders were using their protective air bottles throughout the entire time on scene with the command officer frequently reminding all on scene to stay out of the smoke if possible and to wear the protective mask and bottle at all times. Once back at the station to begin the second 24 hours of this shift, members placed all clothing that contacted the smoke through the extraction devices at each station to remove any of the toxins that have been absorbed during the firefighting efforts. There is no current danger to anyone in the area as a result of the fumes or smoke from this incident. Portland Fire would like to remind all to avoid inhaling any smoke from any fire and always move upwind of an incident if possible. There have been no reported injuries associated with this fire at this time.

The PF&R-PPB Fire/Arson Investigations Unit has opened an investigation into the cause of these fires. Based on the preliminary investigation, investigators have determined the fires were intentionally set and are being investigated as arson.

At this time, investigators are seeking any information that may assist with the investigation. Anyone who has helpful information, observed suspicious activity, or believes they witnessed anything related to this incident is asked to leave a message with the PF&R Fire Information Line at 503-823-FIRE (3473) or email arsontips@police.portlandoregon.gov.

###

Portland Fire & Rescue Implements 2026 Summer Burn Ban - 06/12/26

Portland Fire & Rescue Implements 2026 Summer Burn Ban

A burn ban has been issued by the Portland Fire & Rescue Fire Marshal to begin on June 15, 2026. This action is based on continued hot, dry weather conditions and increased fire danger across the region, as forecasted by the Pacific Northwest Geographic Area Coordinating Center.

The burn ban includes:

• recreational campfires,
• fire pits,
• yard debris,
• agricultural burning and
• permits issued for open burning until further notice. 

The ban will remain in effect throughout the summer until the Fall weather allows a return to permitted open burning.

Outdoor cooking using grills, smokers, and other cooking appliances fueled by charcoal, wood chips, pellets, propane, or natural gas is still allowed with extreme caution. When using charcoal briquettes, dispose of ashes only in covered metal containers away from combustibles. Keep ashes soaked in water for several days before final disposal.

Additional Safety Reminders:

• Maintain at least 10 feet between any outdoor cooking and combustible materials (e.g., siding, fences, shrubs.)
• Smokers should fully extinguish cigarettes and other smoking materials before discarding them.
• Rural property owners are urged to maintain wildfire defensible space around structures, reduce dry vegetation, and ensure emergency vehicle access.

Please visit: beforeyouburn.net for additional information on burning/permits/safety/etc.

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.

###

PF&R Rescues Resident In Early AM Housefire (Photo) - 06/08/26

PF&R Rescues resident in early AM housefire

Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a residential fire in the Lents Neighborhood at just after 5:30 this morning. BOEC dispatched crews with a reported housefire called in by a neighbor indicating a large tree in the front of the home with flames extending into the residence.

Station 11 with a fire engine and rescue located blocks away could see a large header or smoke column on their approach that indicated a working fire. The body of fire was so large out in the front of the home that the first arriving officer on the engine was unable to determine the size of the structure involved in the fire. The report to all other arriving crews was “large body of fire in a home of unknown stories”. The Rescue 11 officer who arrived just after Engine 11 quickly transmitted “Rescue 11 will go mobile and perform a quick 360 and update”.

The updated timestamped information transmitted by the Rescue 11 officer is below. This information was sent in order of importance and as follows (as transcribed in the dispatch call notes) that also incorporates information on the rescue:

• 05:44:39 R11 B/URGENT TRAFF VICT ON BACK SIDE TRYING TO GET TO HIM
• 05:45:21 R11 HOLD A MIN, NEED LADDER TO BACKSIDE TO GET ON ROOF, GETTING TO HIM NOW --- (Rescue Made)
• 05:46:32 R11 1.5 STY W/BASEMENT FRONT SIDE WHERE FIRE SIDE IS GOING PRETTY GOOD - EXT INTO HALF STORY, GETTING LADDER TO VICT ON BRAVO SIDE

Station 25 arrived as the above information was being sent out and got to work assisting Station 11 with the incident. Members assigned to the engine worked toward establishing a water supply by connecting to the closest fire hydrant while members assigned to Truck 25 grabbed a 20’ straight ladder to perform the needed rescue. The male resident was located on the ledge of a roof with fire growing behind him, pushing out the window used to escape the flames. He was considering jumping from the roof structure with the Rescue 11 officer communicating the urgency of a ladder at the location to limit any potential injuries certain to be sustained by the jump from the roof that was a minimum 15’ above ground level. Truck 25 was able to get the ladder placed and assist the resident safely down the ladder as flames were pushing out the window around him and heavy smoke pushing out at the eave line just below where he was perched.

In a period of less than 2 minutes the Rescue 11 officer was able to inform the command officer of a rescue need, coordinate the rescue, and provide an update on the structure involved to the command officer who was unable to determine structure sized due to large body of fire in tree preventing a good view of the home involved in the incident.

Crews encountered a significant amount of clutter in the yard and throughout the home slowing access and the progress of extinguishment of the flames. Crews used saws to cut open holes in walls and floors to gain access, used ladders on the interior of the home with stairs completely burned out, and went through many air bottles as they worked to search the home and extinguish the fire.

The Fire Investigator determined this fire started on the exterior due to the use of an extension cord powering up a smaller dormitory style refrigerator. The extension cord failure led to a fire in the vegetation and other nearby fuels. This fire extended into multiple vehicles parked on the property and up the large tree with limbs hanging over the home and then extended into the home itself. PF&R would like to remind you that all appliances should be plugged directly into a grounded wall outlet and never use an extension cord as permanent wiring.

The primary challenges on this response was addressing the large body of fire with the excessive amount of clutter and fuels littered about throughout the property, both inside the home and within the fence line. The only injury reported was sustained by the occupant who cut their arm on the broken glass of the window used during the escape of the second story living space. The occupant denied the need for transport or elevated medical evaluation.

The successes seen through the challenges were the direct result of a quick arrival by the members of Engine and Rescue 11 along with Engine and Truck 25 shortly after. A coordinated effort made by the 14 members assigned to those 2 stations certainly saved the life of the resident. This speaks to the preplanned actions employed upon arrival of Rescues-Engines-Trucks (water supply-extinguishment-search and rescue etc) coordinating their efforts in tasks essential upon arrival. The ability to act smoothly and quickly in situations like this is not only in the planning of actions prior to arrival but that actual getting together and performing these types of tasks in multi company training exercises. Multi-company drills occur regularly throughout PF&R that allows crews from neighboring fire stations to connect and go through the paces of a “mock incident” so when we face a true emergency, our crews are well prepared to work together in addressing the emergency. This rescue is a direct reflection of preparation.

Portland Fire would like to thank the dispatchers at BOEC for their assistance in this incident along with PGE who responded to assist in de-energizing the home for our safe operation.

###