2 Portland Metro Area Strike Teams Return After Historic Deployment To California Wildfires (Photo) -01/26/25

Portland Fire & Rescue, through collaboration with the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM), announces the safe return of our 2 Strike Teams. The Portland Metro Area sent a total of 34 members on these 2 teams to assist in battling the historic fires in Southern California. Our hearts and thoughts remain with the residents of California and the city of Los Angeles as they continue to recover from the loss of homes, property, and lives.

Upon the safe return of Team 12 yesterday, Portland City Mayor Wilson thanked the Portland Fire & Rescue members on a phone call. Mayor Wilson stated that he is deeply grateful for the team's professionalism, hard work, and swift coordination. He continued that this truly reflects the dedication and excellence of Portland Fire & Rescue and the teams sent to California.

Key details of the deployment include:

• Team 12: 22 members from 3 departments, with 5 Type I Fire Engines and specialized crew members.
  • 2 Strike Team/Task Force Leaders
  • 5 Type I Fire Engines each staffed by 4 crew members with specialized certifications
  • Departments that make up this taskforce include: Gresham Fire Department; Port of Portland Fire Department; Portland Fire & Rescue
• Team 20: 12 members from 5 departments, equipped with 5 Water Tenders and additional support personnel.
  • 2 Strike Team/Task Force Leaders
  • 5 Water Tenders each staffed by a crew of 2 members with specialized certifications
  • Departments that make up this taskforce include: Clatskanie Rural Fire Protection District staff driving equipment from Mist-Birkenfeld Rural Fire Protection District; Corbett Fire District; Portland Fire & Rescue;  Sauvie Island Fire District; Scappoose Rural Fire Protection District.

This historic deployment marks a major milestone in Oregon's commitment to mutual aid and statewide coordination. The Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System (OFMAS), which unites over 300 local fire agencies, mobilized quickly and efficiently to assist CAL FIRE, the Los Angeles Fire Department, and other agencies in Southern California.

The teams were instrumental in protecting lives and property during one of California's most challenging wildfire seasons. They focused on critical operations such as structure protection, extinguishing hotspots, and securing containment lines. A total of 96 fire agencies from 23 Oregon counties contributed to the statewide response. Oregon was the first to send out-of-state resources to California's fire lines, providing crucial assistance during a time of crisis.

As we welcome our strike teams home, we acknoldge the tremendous loss of property, homes, and lives as a result of these devestating fires in Southern California. The fire service extends deep gratitude to all firefighters, their families, and home agencies for their unwavering dedication and sacrifices. The fire service continues to serve with resilience and commitment in Portland, Oregon, and beyond.

Additional photos available: https://www.911photog.com/Portland-Fire-Rescue/2025/Strike-Team-12- and https://www.dennisweisfire.photography/Portland-Fire-Rescue/2025-Photo-Galleries/01252025-OR-Strike-Team-12-Return-Sta-2

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PF&R Responds To Overnight Duplex Fire. (Photo) -01/15/25

PF&R responds to overnight duplex fire.

Portland Fire was dispatched to a duplex fire just before 3 AM in the Multnomah Village Neighborhood of SW Portland. The first arriving engine reported heavy fire with flames already venting through the roof of the duplex located downslope of the access road and called for a second alarm assignment with the possible need for an increased workforce to prevent the fire from extending into neighboring homes and structures. Blocking the view of the primary residence was a 4-bay garage building limiting the command officers ability to completely see the structure.

Crews from the first engine pulled large diameter hose lines from the engine to apply water on the fire along with a quick investigation of the building on fire and reported back to command the significant body of fire present throughout the entire duplex. The pathway to get to the duplex around the side of the garage outbuilding was down a slick slope that was already muddy, prior to the application of the water from any hose line and footing was already a challenge. With the hose lines flanking either side of the building in use and a water supply established, crews operated in a defensive posture, applying the water from the exterior as the body of fire on the interior was not survivable and floors had already begun to collapse on the inside of duplex. The fire compromised the structure to where there was a concern of a collapse of the entire back wall. This safety concern limited the area where firefighters could operate safely and all were directed to remain outside the collapse zone. There was a truck placed in the front of the building with the ability to operate their aerial nozzle to spray water from above if needed. The location of the firefighters on scene that were successfully applying water from multiple hand lines limited this operation until the overhaul phase of the operation. The fire was considered under control in 40 minutes and unassigned crews were being released.

A large focus of the efforts early in the incident were to account for all possible occupants. There were no reported injuries of occupants and responders in this incident. With multiple cars parked in front of the garage structure along with the time of day, crews expected to have occupants at or inside the structure. Through searches along with communicating with neighbors it was discovered that one entire residents of one occupancy was repoted to be away on a trip while the other living space had a single elderly resident who was safely removed uninjured. Red Cross was contacted for any displacement assistance for the occupants of this duplex.

Aside from the heavy fire upon arrival, other challenges were the muddy and slick downward sloping ground surrounding the home, the possibility of a wall collapse, and controlling the utilities where the electrical boxes had completely burned off the structure. Despite these challenges, crews were able to prevent the fire spread to any adjacent structures, including the 4-bay garage located a mere 5’ breezeway away from the primary structure.

The PF&R-PPB combined Fire Investigations Unit is on scene to begin the slow process of combing through the debris to discover the cause of this fire. This will be a long process for the safety of the investigative team with the compromised structure in question.

Portland Fire would like to thank Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, PGE, BOEC, and Portland Police for their assistance in this incident. Additionally, we would like to acknowledge our partnership with the Red Cross and their ability to assist in aiding displaced residents in times of need.

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Early Morning Two Alarm Fire In Southeast Portland (Photo) -01/04/25

Just before 3 a.m. this morning, crews arrived at a working fire at an abandoned commercial building just east of SE 99th Ave. between SE Stark and SE Washington. Heavy smoke drifted to the west as crews arrived, and the first crews made initial entry on the East side of the building. They reported heavy smoke inside with fire above them and moderate heat conditions. Because this was a large structure and the volume of smoke seen, the command staff called for a second alarm assignment.

With a confirmed fire above interior crews, Command placed crews on the roof to ventilate the structure. Additional crews began to access all sides of the structure to assess the extent of the fire. Interior crews reported that conditions were improving and believed they had knocked down the main body of the fire above them. At the 20-minute mark, the fire was under control, and the crews began to mop up the hot spots. Investigators are on the scene and the cause is under investigation, no reported injuries at this time.