Last week, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) crews responded to a vehicle fire near the northern entrance to Gateway Green Park between Interstate 84 and Interstate 205. Firefighters found a stack of cars and one boat ablaze. The rocky location beside railroad tracks kept the fire mostly contained until crews extinguished it. Workers with Union Pacific previously stacked the abandoned vehicles they found along the nearby railroad tracks to form an access road barricade.
Over the last few years, people have left a half-dozen cars and at least one boat next to the Union Pacific tracks that run between I-84 and I-205. During that time, miscreants vandalized the cars and stripped them for parts, leaving mostly scrap metal hulks behind. In an April cleanup, crews working for Union Pacific moved the scrapped vehicles from their respective locations and stacked them near a gravel access road that connects to the I-205 MultiUse Path. Union Pacific representative Meg Siffring explained the stacked vehicle wall was an uncommon measure to prevent more vehicles from entering their property. “We did a large clean up in this area, removing trash and debris. While not typical procedure, what you are seeing is a temporary measure to prevent trespassing on Union Pacific property,” said Siffring.
On Friday evening, May 10th, PF&R received reports of cars on fire between the two freeways near Gateway Green Park. The boat and most non-metal parts on the vehicles burned or melted in the fire, leaving twisted remains that still block the access road. This debris on Union Pacific property does not affect the public multiuse path and Park access. Siffring said that Union Pacific is working on a long-term plan to restrict entry to their tracks. However, this area has struggled with encampments and unauthorized vehicles for years. People have cut fences, removed concrete barricades, or otherwise bypassed past attempts to keep this area clear. People should expect to see the burnt cars cleaned up after the railroad operator installs a permanent solution.
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