Tag: PF&R

Community, Crime

Drones not Fireworks this New Years

Despite the damp winter conditions, the use of personal fireworks remains illegal in Portland, as it has since the City Council passed an ordinance in March 2022. This New Year’s Eve, Portland Fire and Rescue (PF&R) and the Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) ask everyone within city limits to obey the ban and report violators through an online form instead of 9-1-1. As an alternative, people can attend a free New Year’s illuminated Eve Drone Show at Pioneer Courthouse Square.

Three years ago, the Portland City Council passed a consumer fireworks prohibition unanimously, in part due to a fatal fireworks fire the previous year and in reaction to the Eagle Creek Fire in the gorge, which started with the use of personal fireworks. Fire departments regularly experience a spike in injuries, fires, and fatalities during the fireworks season, which runs from June 23rd through July 6th. To a smaller degree, New Year’s Eve celebrations can replicate those mid-summer problems. People with pets also report significant stress inflicted on their animals due to fireworks, with some dogs and cats becoming separated from their owners when they run away from the explosive sounds. However, calling emergency services for fireworks use alone can overload the system, impacting firefighting and injury response times.

Colorful fireworks exploding against a dark night sky.

To limit the impact on BOEC staff answering 9-1-1 calls, the city launched a reporting form at portland.gov/fireworks in July 2025. The form collects information about fireworks use to assist officials in identifying hotspots and later to support public education about Portland’s fireworks ban. People can use the same form this New Year’s Eve or call 3-1-1. Non-English-speaking Portlanders can request a bilingual speaker to join the call for assistance. The City reports that increased staffing, public education, and the reporting form reduced 9-1-1 calls by 13 percent during the 2025 July 4th holiday, improving public safety response times by allowing dispatchers to focus on emergency calls. Additionally, the average wait time that day was 8 seconds, down from 26 seconds in 2024 and 70 seconds in 2023.

To help Portlanders celebrate responsibly, the City will provide two free New Year’s Eve illuminated Drone Shows downtown at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Activities start at 8 p.m. December 31st with a “Video Dance Attack Party.” Then, at 9 p.m., people who don’t want to stay out late can view a family-friendly drone show. For those wanting an official countdown, the second drone show starts just before midnight. Food and beverage vendors will sell refreshments throughout the event, which concludes at 12:30 a.m. on January 1st, 2026. Planners encouraged attendees to take TriMet to the event and to stay safe as they head into 2026.

Article and photo by

Jacob Loeb

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Community, Government

Burn Ban Lifted in Time for Fall Fire Pits

On October 1st, Portland’s Fire Marshal lifted the citywide burn ban just in time for autumn outdoor recreation. The seasonal prohibition on recreational campfires, fire pits, and burning yard debris began on June 23rd; however, rules still permitted the use of outdoor grills, smokers, and similar cooking appliances. As Halloween approaches, and residents attempt to hold onto outdoor activities, more neighborhood gatherings center around the open flame for warmth and ambiance.

Although the Fire Marshal has lifted the burn ban, Portland Fire & Rescue’s leadership continues to ask people to follow fire safety rules. Residents should exercise extreme caution when using outdoor cooking devices or open flames and place them at least ten feet away from anything combustible, such as siding, fences, or shrubbery. People should only burn dried cordwood, keeping the flame shorter than 24 inches tall and contained in a raised fire pit or otherwise encircled. Officials also advise that Portlanders should have an extinguishing plan with an outstretched garden hose or filled water pails nearby, and never leave a fire or outdoor cooker unattended. Charcoal briquette ashes should be stored in a covered metal container away from combustibles after use, with residents keeping the ashes wet for a few days before disposing of them.

Many Portlanders find outdoor fires an essential part of their fall rituals. Still, for the safety of the community, people need to use caution, particularly as we adjust to drier seasons and shifting weather patterns. Individuals can contact Portland Fire & Rescue at 503-823-3700 for additional information about outdoor fire safety and rules.

Article and photo by

Jacob Loeb

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Community

Friday Morning East Burnside Apartment Fire

Around 5:52 a.m. on July 11th, Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) received notice of an apartment fire at the Vandalay Arms Apartments. The 19-unit complex at 10405 E Burnside Street sits next to a recently completed multifamily building, prompting a significant four-alarm firefighter response to control the blaze and prevent its spread to other adjacent structures. Around 7 a.m., PF&R crews began to disband, reopening E Burnside Street to some transit and vehicle traffic that had been blocked by responding emergency service vehicles and firefighting apparatus. Most residents made it out of the building unharmed, but early reports say that PF&R rescued two people from the building who needed transport to a hospital for the treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The owners of the apartment building that burned in the early Friday morning fire were in the process of selling the 1997-era property, which had an asking price of $2,375,000. A significant number of units were damaged in the fire, resulting in the displacement of residents. Fire officials stated that one of the two buildings on the property is likely a complete loss. KGW reports that officials have detained one person as part of the investigation into the fire.

Portland Fire & Rescue personnel and equipment at the scene of an apartment fire, with a fire truck stationed nearby.

TriMet halted MAX Blue line service and rerouted some buses temporarily near 102nd Avenue due to road closures. Drivers needed to find detours around the area where firefighters were responding. However, the quick response of PF&R crews quickly extinguished the fire, and most of the roadway has reopened for the morning commute. The residents of Vandalay Arms Apartments, many of whom will need to find new housing, face numerous challenges ahead as they deal with the aftermath of this fire.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Food and Drink, Renovation, Restaurant, Top 2025, View of Montavilla

Fire at Future Chick-fil-A Restaurant

Portland Fire & Rescue responded to an early morning fire inside the shuttered Venue Gentlemen’s Club at 9950 SE Stark Street. The national chain chicken sandwich company, Chick-fil-A Inc., owns the approximately 7,012 square-foot building. Firefighters arrived just before 3 a.m. on January 4th, reportedly observing heavy smoke coming from the structure. Upon entering the building, crews found signs of a ceiling fire and called in a second alarm assignment. Within 20 minutes, crews had the fire under control and found no signs of injury within the building.

Firefighters working outside the shuttered Venue Gentlemen’s Club entrance. Photo by Dennis Weis, courtesy PF&R.

Chick-fil-A Inc. completed the purchase of this property in November 2024, less than a month after the adult entertainment company leasing the space ceased operations on October 26th. This building is located between SE Stark and SE Washington Streets on SE 99th Avenue, just across SE Washington Street from the Mall 205 complex that new investors purchased in January 2022. Several real estate and commercial property interests are investing in properties within this formerly bustling retail center in the Gateway District. Chick-fil-A joins other national chains like Chipotle Mexican Grill, which are continuing efforts to reestablish this area as a commercial corridor for East Portland. Despite the big-name brands moving into some storefronts in this area, the new owners of Plaza 205 are courting a cohort of Asian American owned businesses blocks east of the future Chick-fil-A location, offering more retail diversity to the area’s revival.

North side smoke damage and signs of firefighter efforts to cut power (Jacob Loeb)

Based on visible damage, the fire at 9950 SE Stark Street is unlikely to change plans for the Chick-fil-A project significantly. The building’s overhaul includes substantial renovations while maintaining the general shape of the 1984-era building. Motorists will maintain parking lot access from the two existing SE Washington Street and SE Stark Street driveways. However, guests will need to park their vehicles at this fast food location as the building will not offer a drive-through window. Crews will rework the facade and roof to incorporate a new entry vestibule. Sidewalk improvements around the site will join the parking lot and ramp additions to increase accessible entry to the restaurant. Workers will restructure the interior with all new restrooms, a play area, a sit-down dining room, and kitchen space to meet the Chick-fil-A standards. The existing free-standing sign by each entrance will lose its lower panel letter boards, and contractors will refresh them with Chick-fil-A branding. Illuminated channel letter signs spelling the restaurant’s name will adorn the sides of the building. Permit plans indicate this store will display a “Delivery Drivers” sign directing the app-based service providers to a designated area for pickup, perhaps signaling an anticipated elevated demand for that option.

Venue Gentlemen’s Club post closing October 2024 (Jacob Loeb)

Fire investigators are still working to determine what sparked the blaze. If Portland Permitting & Development approves plans currently under review, crews could begin construction at this property in 2025. However, fire damage could further complicate this project, which has taken years to develop.

By

Jacob Loeb

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Infrastructure

Pedestrian Struck at Inactive Signal

Around 7:25 PM on August 18th, a car driving westbound on SE Stark Street crashed into a pedestrian crossing the road at 80th Avenue. An ambulance transported the person to an area hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The marked crosswalk at the intersection had newly installed Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) signals meant to indicate to drivers that they should yield to people crossing. However, the RRFB lights never began blinking because crews had not activated the equipment in the six months since Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) contractors installed them.

In January, crews installed signal equipment on SE Washington Street at 86th Avenue and SE Stark Street at 80th Avenue. These RRFBs remained unavailable to people trying to cross those intersections while city staff waited for road markings and new electric service from the power company PGE. Six months later, around August 2nd, linemen connected power lines to the safety signals at both intersections. However, crews only activated the RRFB signals on SE Washington Street at 86th Avenue. Despite the service line connection earlier this month, PBOT representative Dylan Rivera explained that power service is not yet active on SE Stark Street at 80th Avenue, leaving people crossing there less protected. While this equipment remained inoperable, residents complained that these inactive signals created an unsafe condition where motorists were unsure of people’s intent to cross because they had not activated the crossing signal.

PGE attached power line from August 2nd

Crews working for PBOT started construction on safety upgrades at SE Stark Street and 80th Avenue over a year ago. People visiting the historic Montavilla Downtown area frequently use this marked crosswalk. This fast-paced street has limited safe crossing points with two lanes for automotive westbound traffic. PBOT engineers decided to update safety infrastructure here as part of the 70s Neighborhood Greenway project that will increase non-automotive uses at this intersection. In June 2023, crews reconstructed street corners to widen the sidewalk and install mounting infrastructure to support the new signal hardware. Road workers patched and repaved the intersection after trenching and laying new conduits between the corners in September 2023. In January 2024, with snow still on the ground, signal specialists installed RRFB hardware on SE Washington Street and SE Stark Street at 80th Avenue.

Completed and active signal equipment on SE Washington Street at 86th Avenue

The RRFB equipment remained inactive, awaiting the prolonged dry weather painting contractors require when applying high-visibility crosswalks to the road surface. PBOT representatives explained that the bureau’s policy requires street markings before activating crossing signals like RRFBs. Hicks Striping & Curbing completed the crosswalk work this April, and PBOT activated the RRFB at SE Washington Street and 80th Avenue soon after. However, the SE Stark Street unit remained unpowered and offline, along with an RRFB at SE 86th Avenue and Washington Street that crews completed as part of another project. At times, PBOT marked the dormant safety devices with caution tape, alerting pedestrians and cyclists to the non-functional equipment. After a prolonged delay, the utility company added power line connections to RRFB control equipment in early August.

Reader submitted photo taken minutes after the August 18th crash

This Sunday night crash occurred in the evening as the sun set behind Mt. Tabor, possibly limiting visibility. The RRFB equipment is designed to aid crossing pedestrians where light conditions or other distractions make them less visible to drivers. At the time of the crash, the activation buttons at this intersection were covered in caution tape, indicating they were not functioning. Witness reports say that one vehicle stopped for the pedestrian while a car in the second lane of the one-way street continued past, striking the southbound pedestrian and sending them to the ground. People at the nearby bar and restaurant residents saw the incident and called emergency services. Portland Fire & Rescue workers assisted the injured person until the ambulance arrived, and the driver of the car cooperated with the investigation.

Rivera expressed PBOT’s concern for the pedestrian and reinforced the need for signal equipment. “Injuries from crashes like this can impact a person for years, and our thoughts are with them and their community. Pedestrian beacons and crossing improvements such as the one nearly completed at this location can greatly improve visibility for pedestrians, and they have been shown nationally to reduce the chances of a fatal or serious injury crash. Even after the beacon is activated, we need everyone to use caution when driving on our streets.” PBOT has not set a timeline for activating this new safety equipment and is waiting on the utility company.

Update: As of August 20th, the RRFB signals on SE Stark Street at 80th Avenue are functional.

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

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Crime, View of Montavilla

Abandoned Vehicle Fire Near Gateway Green

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.

Portland Maps image with MV News illustrations

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.

Scrap vehicle barricade from April 15th, 2024

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.

Article and phots by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay for a full year directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscriber or sponsor. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Community, View of Montavilla

Pacific Market Fire Complete Loss

Just before 2 a.m. on March 26th, emergency dispatchers sent Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) crews to the Pacific Market complex at 6750 NE Broadway. Arriving firefighters reported smoke visible from the structure’s roof above the closed Thai Binh restaurant storefront occupying a third of the 20,120 square foot strip mall. Before long, the fire spread through the roof and into the adjoining Pacific Market grocery store. The fire expanded throughout the building, prompting a three-alarm response. PF&R crews extinguished the fire, protecting the surrounding homes and a neighboring storage facility. However, the building and its contents are likely a complete loss.

Image from Portland Maps

The family-owned Asian grocery opened in the late 1990s to become a place for people “to stop and shop for their traditional foods and groceries all in one place,” according to a now offline company website. Situated between NE Halsey Street and NE Broadway, the store was an early provider of culturally specific imported foods in this area. It also provided convenient grocery access for many people living around the Rose City Golf Course. Residents in the neighborhood will instead need to travel to the Fred Meyer store at 6615 NE Glisan Street for basic needs.

The building, restaurant, and grocery store shared similar ownership, leading to the possibility of rebuilding. Google Maps only lists the Pacific Market as temporarily closed. However, the level of damage indicates this location will be unusable for a significant length of time. Additionally, the owners may decide not to rebuild and instead look to sell the property for development. The building shares the block with a new self-storage facility completed in 2022, and at nearly an acre, this site could attract interest from builders. Losing a neighborhood grocery is a detriment to the community. Fortunately, PF&R reported no injuries during this incident, and firefighters managed to confine all damage to the one building. Expect to see fencing around the site and the eventual arrival of demolition crews to remove all or part of the building within the coming months.

Firefighter continuing to dowse building 12 hours after fire broke out

Article and photos by

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account or you can pay directly online. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.

Community, Services

Receiving Critical Alerts in the Mobile Phone Age

Emergency workers occasionally alert people in a specific geographic area to significant police events, expanding fires, or dangerous weather conditions. Since 1993, some municipalities used a system called Reverse 911 to notify residents via phone. However, that system historically relied on landline telephones tied to a physical address, and very few people still use that service. Only a quarter of American homes have a landline, and just 15% of renters use anything other than cell phones. Consequently, during a substantial police response in Montavilla earlier this month, several residents reported being unaware of the shelter-in-place order enacted by the Portland Police Bureau. Although a system exists to notify residents via cell phone, it requires most residents to register at publicalerts.org before receiving texts, emails, or calls about potential danger.

PublicAlerts is a region-wide website for residents to request alerts about situations in their area. It centralizes registration for Clackamas, Columbia, Multnomah, and Washington counties in Oregon. The site also supports Clark County residents in Washington State. However, alerts do not blanket all registered users. The service uses each account holder’s self-reported address to localize communications based on the warning’s scope. Dozens of local fire departments, public health systems, utility companies, transportation agencies, and law enforcement use this system to notify residents. It is a flexible system that lets users specify a preferred communication type but requires registering to access its features. It also places responsibility for maintaining accurate information on individuals. However, the system allows an account holder to register several addresses, including a work location, making it useful throughout the day.

Registration with PublicAlerts is free, and the service does not use data shared during signup for tracking or advertising. The government-provided service relies on third parties to manage the alert system’s underlying technologies, but those companies are contractually obligated to keep personal information confidential and only use it for the intended purpose. This new program replaces the 1993 style of Reverse 911 service with one better designed for how people communicate 30 years later, but it requires most people to opt-in, potentially limiting its reach. 

Article and photo

Jacob Loeb

Correction: An earlier version of this story stated that the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management ran the system for other counties. Each county has its own system just with a unified signup site.

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Community

Outdoor Fire Prohibition Starts June 16th

Update October 5th, 2023: The Multnomah County Fire Chiefs recently announced an end to the county burn ban starting October 1st.

This week, the Multnomah County Fire Defense Board Chief Chris Barney announced a backyard burning ban for all areas of Multnomah County. This year’s summer prohibition on burning starts Friday, June 16th, with agricultural burning banned after June 30th. A complete outdoor burn ban begins on July 6th and will remain in effect until further notice.

The complete ban includes recreational campfires, fire pits, and any other open burning. Outdoor barbecuing or grilling in purpose-built cooking appliances is permitted, including smokers. However, officials caution residents to exercise extreme caution during the dry summer months, keeping discarded ashes in a covered metal container away from combustibles. Fire prevention experts also instruct the public to maintain a ten-foot buffer zone between outdoor cooking and anything combustible such as siding, fences, or shrubbery.

The Multnomah County Fire Defense Board chose these phased burning ban dates to address safety concerns arising from the seasonably dry conditions while allowing farming communities time to discard agricultural wastes through burning. These dates may change due to worsening weather conditions. Residents and area businesses should direct questions about the ban to Portland Fire & Rescue’s general information line at 503-823-3700.

By

Jacob Loeb

Promotion: Help keep independent news accessible to the community. Montavilla News has a Patreon account. We invite those who can contribute to this local news source to consider becoming paid subscribers or sponsors. We will always remain free to read regardless of subscription.