Raleigh Hills Fire 3

Just before 3:30 a.m. this morning, the 911 dispatch center received a call from a passerby that noticed smoke and flames on the exterior of the McMenamins Raleigh Hills Pub on Scholls Ferry Road. Based on the description provided by the caller, the on-duty Battalion Chief responding to the fire requested an upgrade to a first alarm, to ensure adequate firefighting resources.

First-arriving crews found a working fire coming from the backside of the building and immediately began fire attack methods. The fire was primarily contained to the exterior of the building but did manage to extend to the roof.

It took crews approximately 20 minutes to knock down the flames. Firefighters then worked on remaining hot spots in the roofing material and ventilation to remove smoke that made its way into the restaurant. While fighting the fire, additional crews did a search of the building to confirm no occupants were inside.  

A TVF&R fire investigator is currently on scene working to determine what caused the fire, which is unknown at this time.
 
TVF&R was assisted by Washington County Sheriff’s Office, who assisted with traffic control.  

Accessing Gas Line

At 9 p.m. Wednesday evening, multiple calls to 911 were reporting flames coming from the side of a residential multi-unit complex at the corner of 198th Avenue and Alexander Street in Aloha. Bystanders quickly evacuated the tenants living in the unit adjacent to the fire. 

First-arriving crews from Aloha Station 62 found a working fire coming from the side of the house and upon removal of the surrounding fence, determined a set of gas meters was on fire. The incident was immediately upgraded to a first alarm, adding more units to the scene to ensure adequate firefighting resources. NW Natural was also dispatched to the scene.

With assistance from multiple crews, including our technical rescue team based out of our downtown Tigard station, a trench was dug to access an underground gas line feeding the meters, allowing NW Natural to crimp the line, which subsequently put the fire out. While this work was occurring, firefighters from Hillsboro Fire kept water on the meters and side of the home to prevent the fire from spreading. 

Due to the gas meters being turned off and electric meter being pulled on the unit adjacent to the fire, the three tenants that live in the end unit have been temporarily displaced until repairs can be made. They have opted to stay with friends in the meantime. 

A TVF&R fire investigator is on scene working to determine what caused the fire, which is unknown at this time. 

TVF&R was assisted by Hillsboro Fire Department and NW Natural. Washington County Sheriff’s Office was also on scene assisting with traffic control while the intersection was closed to all modes of traffic.

Holly Hill Road Brush Fire (2)

Shortly before 11 a.m. today, our WCCCA 911 dispatch center received a call regarding burn piles that were spreading out of control, making their way up a ravine and threatening a nearby home on Holly Hill Road in unincorporated Washington County. 

The property owner performing the burn had two 250-gallon water tanks with a pumper on site but had exhausted his water supply after several hours of trying to gain control of the fire on his own. This initiated his call for assistance. 

Upon arrival of the first incoming crews from our TVF&R Midway Station, firefighters found approximately 12-15 acres actively on fire, with flames heading towards the property owner’s house. Firefighters made it an immediate priority to protect the home, while additional units from TVF&R, Hillsboro Fire, Cornelius Fire and Gaston Fire arrived to assist. 

Firefighters moved quickly around the perimeter of the fire to begin containment and knockdown of flames. Due to high winds and thick, dry vegetation, the fire has been challenging to fully extinguish and continues to smolder with hot spots. Crews are also having to shuttle water in from the Clean Water Services facility on Hillsboro Highway due to lack of hydrants and water sources in the area. 

With conditions not being favorable for complete extinguishment, crews will be on site for several more hours and are working on a plan with the property owner to monitor the burned area overnight. 

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(UPDATED: 5/26/18 1pm):

TVF&R Firefighters remained on scene of the Minter Bridge Rd scrap wood fire through the night and early part of today. The fire was contained to the scrap piles previously reported on. The wood piles have begun to be slowly torn apart to allow hot spots to be exposed and extinguished if possible. Firefighters will be transitioning fire watch to the ownership company today who will continue to monitor the area throughout the weekend.

These wood piles still contain hidden wood and remain hot. As crews work to dismantle the areas, neighbors should expect to see smoke at times through the weekend, but should not be to the degree we saw during the fire last night.

Investigators scoured the areas this morning, but were unable to find any outside cause to the fire. However, they are confident it began in the ‘hog fuel’ pile, also known as wood chips and bark. The wind then ultimately pushed embers to the scrap wood area, causing its ignition. There were no indications this fire is suspicious in nature and is not considered to be. Loss of revenue from the piles, operations, and damage to the front loader is estimated to be around $200,000.

(ORIGINAL):

At 8:21 pm on May 25, 2018, Hillsboro Fire Department responded to a waste landfill and recycling center near the 3200 Block of SE Minter Bridge Rd for the report of a fire in a wood chip pile. First arriving crews confirmed a very large pile of wood chips was burning and beginning to spread to a pile of scrap wood, and requested a full first alarm respond.

Due to unlimited fuel supply and a persistent wind, the nearby scrap wood pile quickly became engulfed. The initial wood chip pile was nearly 200 feet long and up to 40 feet high. The secondary scrap wood pile is just as large but contains clean wood that has been salvaged and disposed of from construction sites. This property also contains a landfill, which was unaffected by the fire and not at risk at any point.

Due to the volatile nature of the wood pile and the danger associated with it, firefighters took a strategic stance to surround the pile. This facility did have a remote water source available on scene, but the volume of water necessary exceeded the capacity of the pump, forcing firefighters to utilize over 1500 feet of hose from a fire hydrant along with shuttling water. Ultimately the fuel load of the scrap wood forced firefighters to take a defensive stance and focus on containment to the scrap pile.

This fire posed several challenges to firefighters, forcing a second alarm to be transmitted.. First, the significant load of wood provided an endless supply of fuel for the fire. Secondly, the location just south of Hillsboro meant fire hydrants were not readily available, so water had to be shuttled in to the facility. Third, the wind was blowing embers away from the fire and into grassy areas nearby. A fire engine monitored the area downwind of the fire through the evening to ensure no spot fires were igniting.

No injuries were reported and no structures sustained any damage. One front loader was burned, with possible damage to a second. A cause has not yet been determined. Fire investigators from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue are on scene and will perform a more thorough investigation during daylight hours. No homes were evacuated due to the smoke, but nearby residents who may be downwind should consider keeping their windows closed until smoke has dissipated.

Initial response was provided by Hillsboro Fire Department, however, the affected address ultimately lies within Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue Fire District. TVF&R responded on the upgraded alarm assignment and worked alongside Hillsboro Fire Department and Cornelius Fire through the duration of the incident. Crews will remain on scene through the evening to monitor the fire.

Updates will be provided in updated press releases.

For additional safety tips, visit www.tvfr.com.

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