PF&R Responds To Fire Caused By A Firework (Photo)
-07/01/25
PF&R responds to fire caused by a firework
At just after 1 PM, as Portland Fire & Rescue was hosting a press conference discussing the personal firework ban in the City of Portland, a fire broke out in the Hazelwood Neighborhood of East Portland. Initial reports indicated a large row of arbor vitae were on fire with information about a large audible boom prior to the discovery of the fire.
Crews responded and confirmed a large row of arbor vitae on fire that was beginning to extend to the adjacent home along with the playground area of the neighboring school. An additional exposure concern was the row of arbor vitae were directly under overhead powerlines with the flames impinging causing another challenge for crews during the fire suppression efforts. Had the fire severed the line, a live electrical wire would have been dropped in the middle of the fire scene posing increased dangers to the responding and working firefighters on scene.
Quick extinguishment occurred and the fire did very little damage to the home and the occupants will not be displaced. Crews did have a need to cut a hole in the roof to be certain fire had not extended into the attic which will not displace the residents but there will need to have some repairs performed on the home. Additionally, damage to the playground of the school occurred which will require an evaluation of the equipment by a professional prior to further use authorized.
Following the extinguishment crews were approached by witnesses of the fire that there were youth in the area lighting fireworks which initiated a response from the PF&R Fire Investigations Unit. After a forensic evaluation a personal firework was found in the charred soil underneath the remains of the arbor vitae row. This act of fireworks use is an arrestable offense with the FIU working with the residents and school for any video footage to aid in identifying any suspect(s). This offense itself is possession and use of illegal fireworks (Class B Misdemeanor), 2 counts of arson in the second degree (Class C Felony), and 2 counts of arson in the first degree (Class A Felony).
Portland Fire & Rescue would like to use this incident as a reminder that fireworks are dangerous that can cause injury or property damage and is the primary reason the personal firework ban was put in place back in 2022 coming off the heels of a triple fatality fire confirmed to have been caused by personal fireworks usage. Individuals will be held liable if using a personal firework that has been determined to have caused damage or an injury, with fines and jail time possible.
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PF&R To Name Rescue Boat In Honor Of Jerry Richardson (Photo)
-06/26/25
PF&R to name Rescue Boat in honor of Jerry Richardson
- Monday June 30th
- 9:30 AM
- James Gleason Boat Ramp – 4325 NE Marine Drive
On November 19th, 2021, Portland Fire & Rescue experienced a significant loss to the organization when Lieutenant Jerry Richardson passed away from occupationally connected cancer. Lt. Richardson was hired by Portland Fire and Rescue in 1999 and served at several stations, working his last assignment at Station 17 serving the Hayden Island area in the Marine Program. To permanently recognize Lt. Richardson and all his contributions to our organization and his lifetime of service, PF&R is naming Rescue Boat 17 in his honor with a ceremony on Monday June 30th at the James Gleason Memorial Boat Dock on the Columbia River.
Jerry’s life of service started as a junior at Selah High School where he volunteered at Selah Fire Department. After graduating high school in 1984 Jerry enlisted in the United States Air Force where he became an airbase firefighter for four years. After Jerry’s military service he enrolled in the paramedic program at Central Washington University. Jerry started his professional firefighting career with Cottage Grove Fire in 1992. Jerry’s service to the residents of Lane County ended after 7 years when his desire to serve a larger community led him to Portland Fire & Rescue in December of 1999. Jerry promoted to Lieutenant in June of 2007 where he served in many capacities including the Medical Services Division along with a specialist within the Marine Program of the Emergency Operations Division. Along with his life of service, Jerry provided an example of service to his own family with his son following in his footsteps into the fire service as a Firefighter for the City of Spokane.
Please join us in recognizing Lt Jerry Richardson as we name Rescue Boat 17 in his honor. The ceremony will have dignitaries from PF&R speaking along with the unveiling of the name on the Rescue Boat.
PF&R To Host The Annual David Campbell Memorial Ceremony - June 26 - 10 AM - Lone Fir Cemetery (Photo)
-06/24/25
PF&R and DCMA host the Annual David Campbell Memorial Ceremony
Media and Community Invitation
- David Campbell Memorial Ceremony
- 10 AM
- June 26
- Firefighter section of Lone Fir Cemetery – 649 SE 26th
Portland Fire & Rescue along with the David Campbell Memorial Association will host the annual David Campbell Memorial Ceremony on Thursday June 26 in the Firefighter Section of the Lone Fir Cemetery located at 649 SE 26th at 10 AM. Media and community members are welcome and encouraged to attend.
This event honors the 77 Portland Firefighters who have died while serving the City of Portland. In addition to the tolling of the bells for each member that passed away, there will be some significant awards presented by the DCMA for outstanding valor over the past year for members that were on duty along with recognizing a member for their off-duty valor.
The David Campbell Memorial Association (DCMA) is the caretaker of the legacy and memory of Portland Firefighters who have given their lives in service to the citizens of Portland, Oregon. The DCMA was established in 1913, two years after the death of Fire Chief David Campbell. Their goal was to safeguard the memory of Chief Campbell and award medals of valor for acts of bravery by Portland Firefighters that exemplified Chief Campbell himself.
The on-duty valor award named in honor of Fire Chief Campbell will be awarded this year to a crew that exhibited incredible bravery on a residential emergency response this past winter. The David Kingsley Award, recognizing a member for their off-duty valor will also be presented this year with members of the Kingsley Family present. David Kingsley, like Campbell, in a remarkably selfless act during WWll, gave his parachute to a fellow squadron member so they could survive an imminent plane crash while Kingsley rode the plane into the ground. These awards are not given out each year, so to have both the Campbell and the Kingsley presented is quite remarkable.
The location this year will be in the Firefighter Section of the Lone Fir Cemetery. With significant vandalism to the David Campbell Memorial within Portland Firefighters Park on W. Burnside, the event will be held at Lone Fir. DCMA is in talks with the City of Portland and community members in the attempt of raising funds to repair and upgrade the park and memorial.
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City Of Portland Ban On The Sale And Use Of Personal Fireworks. (Photo)
-06/23/25
City of Portland ban on the sale and use of personal fireworks.
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 in 2001 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.
The City of Portland Fireworks Ban addresses the sale and use of ALL personal fireworks within the City Limit. Purchasing a personal firework item outside the city and returning to Portland is not legal per the ban. Please begin to plan for a safe and enjoyable Independence Day with your family, extended family and friends, neighbors and entire community with picnics, hikes, BBQ’s and neighborhood gatherings.
We were all reminded of the realities when fire hits major communities earlier this year with the multiple large fires that devastated the Los Angeles area. While it is unknown how either the Palisades or Eaton fire started, it doesn’t matter to those who lost their loved ones, homes, personal possessions as fire is fire and can be an incredibly destructive force. We can reduce and eliminate fire damage and casualties by adhering to the local fireworks ban.
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 today on June 23-July 6 that can be avoided by adhering to the Fireworks Ban put into place for the safety of you and all those in our community. We encourage you to connect with your friends and family on July 4, enjoy time together as you celebrate the 249th Independence Day and make plans to attend professional fireworks display in the area.
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BURN BAN TO BEGIN JUNE 23, 2025
-06/20/25
BURN BAN TO BEGIN JUNE 23, 2025
A burn ban has been issued by the Portland Fire & Rescue Fire Marshal to begin on June 23, 2025, due to forecasted summer high temperatures, projected limited rainfall, and expected dry conditions. 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, and other smoking objects 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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PF&R Responds To Large Grass Fire In N. Portland (Photo)
-06/16/25
PF&R responds to large grass fire in N. Portland
At just before 7PM, Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a possible grass fire with a caller reporting seeing smoke from a grass field. The location of the field is to the North of the Cintas Warehouse located in the 12300 block of N. Columbia. Engine 22 arrived to a large field (400’x600’ with a distinct slope heading to the west with a few deciduous trees randomly placed throughout) to have fire running nearly the length of the field in light fuels that was beginning to impinge upon the cyclone fencing surrounding the warehouse.
With the large amount of fire, the command officer balanced this vegetation fire to a Wildland Box Assignment to have enough personnel with the correct equipment to address the fire. With the location of this incident, all help is coming from the south and in one case, a rig responded SW Portland with their specialized brush unit used to gain access to fire across soft soils.
There was a light wind out of the north that pushed the fire up against a cyclone fence and ignited a large wooden storage shed on the interior of the warehouse property. Crews diverted from the grass fire to address this structure to prevent this from growing to consume an additional structure or the fleet of Cintas vans in the adjacent parking lot. With heavy fire and the unknown contents of the interior of the shed, the command officer directed a defensive fire operation to use large streams of water to extinguish the fire from the exterior. The wooden roof structure collapsed to reveal 2 large metal con-ex containers that were housed in what was now a burned up wooden shell. Crews kept the fire to the shed structure and prevented the extension of fire to adjacent structures and vehicles.
As the engines were addressing the shed, the brush units and personal ATV’s extinguished the fire in the grass field. Within an hour the crews totaling nearly 30 firefighters had eliminated all the flames present and had ensured the shed was completely extinguished.
Portland Fire Investigations Unit has responded and is performing their forensic investigation to determine cause. It was determined the contents of the large steel storage containers were paper products and metal valves and do not pose an environmental hazard. No reported injuries.
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Second Alarm Fire At Jopp Wood Recycling (Photo)
-06/14/25
Just after 6:45 PM, 9-1-1 received a call to an industrial area of the St John’s Neighborhood in North Portland. Initial reports from the caller stated that a large pile of wood products was on fire and that no homes or structures were threatened.
The first arriving Engine and Truck Companies from St John’s arrived within minutes of being dispatched. The Engine officer took command of the incident and reported a large pile of pallets and wood debris with smoke throughout the pile. Crews were very aware of this location as a year ago, in April 2024, a similar fire broke out. With this prior knowledge and experience, the first due Truck immediately set up its aerial ladder for an elevated master stream. This elevated master stream allows firefighters to direct water to the seat of the fire from above.
As additional units arrived, the first Chief Officer took Command. Incident Command then assigned the on-scene resources to the following tasks: establish a water supply, recon the area to ensure no exposures were present, confirm the best access to the different areas of the wood pile, and set up for additional aerial master streams.
Fire crews worked with site personnel, who were called back to the site, to spread out the wood pile and extinguish any hot spots. This was accomplished with the use of some heavy machinery and excavators that were already on site and were operated by the location’s employees. Three engines and three trucks remained on the scene for an additional time after the incident was recalled to ensure extinguishment. There were no injuries reported during this incident and no residents were displaced.
Portland Fire & Rescue would like to thank our partners with the Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC), Portland Water Bureau, and Port of Portland Terminal 4. At the height of the incident, the following fire resources responded:
Engines – 7
Trucks – 3
Chief Officers – 3
Rehab Unit – 1
PIO – 1
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Portland Fire Investigation Unit Arrests Arson Suspect In Early AM Fire
-06/11/25
Portland Fire Investigation Unit arrests arson suspect in early AM fire
A subject responsible for starting the fire at the Sacred Heart Church contacted 911 to turn themselves in for starting the early AM fire at the Sacred Heart Church located at SE 3926 SE 11th Avenue in the Brooklyn Neighborhood. The suspect was contacted by the Fire Investigators along with Portland Police Officers. The suspect was determined to be experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of the fire. The suspect was interviewed by Arson Detectives and transported to the MCDC where he was booked under one count of Arson II. The Fire/Arson Investigations Unit and Portland Police will work collaboratively wiht the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office to determine the best resolution for this case.
Suspect Information - Domanique L. Wahl-Stephens - 45 YO Male
Estimated damages to church - $3000 of burn damage to original doors circa 1890
Portland Fire & Rescue would like to thank the dispatchers at BOEC and PPB Officers in their assistance in this incident.
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PF&R Investigation Unit Looking For Person Of Interest. (Photo)
-06/09/25
PF&R Investigation Unit looking for person of interest.
The PFR-PPB Fire Investigations Unit (FIU) is looking to contact a person of interest who may have information regarding the 3-alarm fire from Sunday evening near N. Vancouver and Alberta in the Humboldt Neighborhood of NE Portland.
Witnesses passing by the area of the fire yesterday reported seeing a white adult male wearing a light-colored shirt, shorts and baseball cap, driving a 2-door, black convertible, coupe, parked directly across from the fire location for a period of about 30 minutes. The adult male was standing around and may have met up with a female shortly before leaving the area.
The FIU has no reason to believe they are involved, but they are an essential witness that investigators would like to interview immediately. Please contact (503) 823-INFO if you have any information on or a way to contact the individual described above.
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Busy Afternoon On The North End (Photo)
-06/08/25
Portland Fire crews had a busy afternoon in NE Portland. A residential box assignment was dispatched at 5:57pm to NE 22 & Prescott, this is believed to have been an exterior fire that worked its way up the siding of a home and may have worked its way inside. Crews were able to make a quick extinguishment of the fire and it was recalled.
A few minutes after recalling this fire, another residential fire was called in by a passerby at 6:09pm near the intersection of N Vancouver Ave & N Alberta St. The first arriving engine company relayed to all incoming crews that there was fire showing from the rear of a home. That fire was extending to the neighborhing structure causing a 2nd alarm to be called to ensure there would be enough firefighters on scene to extinguish what could potentially have been two structure fires. Eventually a 3rd alarm would be called, this was done for both the amount of work being performed on scene as well as temperatures needing for crews to switch out more often to prevent heat exhaustion. Crews worked quickly and diligently to prevent the fire from spreading too far into either structure by getting hose lines into play quickly. The primary building is a vacant home, and the exposure building is a Wellness Center.
There were no injuries or anyone displaced from this fire, and the cause is under investigation.
PF&R Responds To Suspicious Residential Fire In Early AM Hours. (Photo)
-06/08/25
PF&R responds to suspicious residential fire in early AM hours.
At 5:50 AM Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a possible residential fire in the Powellhurst-Gilbert Neighborhood near the intersection of SE 118th and Holgate. Information from BOEC indicated fire and smoke from a recently vacated apartment in a multi-occupancy structure.
Crews arrived to have active fire visible on both the first and second level of an apartment with smoke on the eave line and appearing to be pushing out of the garage as well. Crews quickly went to work performing the required fire suppression activities of extending handheld hose lines, establishing a water supply, searching, and ventilating the structure. The flames were suppressed quickly, and the search resulted in confirming all occupants out of the structure. There were no reported injuries on this incident and neighboring units unaffected so there will not be any displacement of the other occupants of the structure.
There were reports of a suspicious individual on the property who was quicky apprehended and detained by PPB and was in custody upon the arrival of the Fire Investigative Team comprised of 3 investigators and the PFB Arson K9. Fire Investigators are wrapping up their scene investigation. The subject who was detained by police during the initial fire suppression activities has seen been released from detention.
After conducting their scene examination, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and the deploying our Arson K9, fire investigators believe this fire was intentionally set.
Investigators are asking for the public’s help in identifying any suspicious behavior prior to the fire. If anyone was traveling along SE Holgate between 0530 and 0550am this morning and saw anything or anyone suspicious, please contact 503-823-FIRE or email Lt Jason Andersen at jason.andersen@police.portlandoregon.gov.
Portland Fire would like to thank BOEC and PPB for their assistance in this AM incident and ongoing investigation.
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