Photo: Clackamas Fire
Firefighters are working to control a three-alarm fire in Oregon City that came in early Thursday morning at the site of a former paper mill.
Clackamas Fire crews will be working over the next couple days to fully extinguish the complex fire at the home of tumwata village, which is the former home of the vacant Blue Herron Paper Mill that is owned by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.
Highway 99E in Oregon City is also closed to divert traffic away from the area, so firefighters can continue working to get the fire under control.
A total of five fire trucks and 20 fire engines responded to the fire that was called in just before 4 a.m.
The Fire crews that responded to the 3-alarm incident included some from Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, Canby Fire, and Portland Fire and Rescue. PGE was also on scene to assist with shutting off power.
The public may see ash throughout the region due to the fire, and may have concerns regarding air quality but it poses no environmental concerns.
DEQ representative Scott Smith was on scene and looked at the river and air quality monitoring and did not see that a hazmat response was necessary. He confirmed that normal DEQ cleanup and assessment will continue after the fire is fully extinguished.
Members of the public can simply wash ash off with water. DEQ is also urging the public to stay clear of the property.
The public should expect to see smoke from the site for the next 24-48 hours as the fire continues to smolder. Fire officials will remain on site to extinguish any spots that flare up.
Highway 99E is expected to remain closed between 10th Street and South End Road through the night to allow access for continuous mitigation.
Source: Clackamas Fire