Portland Fire & Rescue
07/17/2024 | Press release | Archived content
PF&R responds to fire at metal recycling facility. (Photo)
July 17, 2024 19:10
PF&R responds to fire at metal recycling facility.
At just after 1 PM, Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a reported fire at Radius Recycling affiliated with Schnitzer Steel with reports of a fire in a scrap metal pile. This large mixed metal pile filled with smashed cars, appliances, and other large metal objects was scheduled to go through the industrial shredder located adjacent to this large pile. The fire was eventually raised to a 4th alarm assignment with engines, trucks, fireboats, and other personnel from all over the city to address the large fire. Four hours after the first alarm was sent, the command officer considered the situation under control and called for a recall of the incident with all companies assigned to continue working. There were no reported injuries to responders or plant personnel.
The location of this incident was a dense industrial area in N. Portland to the east of the Willamette River with the property being bordered on the west and north by waterways. The large pile was showing signs of significant fire upon arrival and the command officer directed crews to prepare for a "surround and drown" operation where crews attach to a fire hydrant and pump to a ladder truck with their aerial ladders extended so 1200 to 2000 gpm of water can flow from the tips of these elevated nozzles and apply a large volume of water on the fire. Yard hydrants not affiliated the main city grid provided ample volume and pressure of water for all in use. In addition to using fire hydrants located on the property, two different fire boats were captained to the location and acted as a pumping vessel by pulling water directly from the river and into large diameter hose to aid in the water supply needed to suppress the fire.
Plant personnel assisted in reducing the size of the fuel pile by using large articulating claws to reach into the pile, pull out a full load and deposit it away from the burning material. To prevent fire spread, crews used handheld nozzles and directed the stream at each claw load to prevent this new material from igniting the ever-growing spoil piles as the material was being relocated.
This type of a fire is heavy on the need for equipment and less intense on human operations and activity. The 4th alarm requested was to continue to have available tools and engines needed to access water and produce the pressures required to move the volume of water through all hose lines used to reduce the flames. Just before 5 PM, the command officers began to implement a plan to release companies who were not committed to performing work nor was their equipment involved in the transfer and application of water. With nearly 100 firefighters on scene, crews from across the city were strategically moved to best cover the city with companies traditionally operating out of Argay Heights in outer NE Portland relocated to the University Park Neighborhood. Additionally, there were stations on the periphery of the city staffed by members of our mutual aid partners from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue aiding in the coverage of the SW part of town.
PF&R EOPS Division would like to recognize the work performed by the Emergency Vehicle Technicians and other PF&R Logistics Section personnel during this event. They responded to the scene to evaluate the working rigs to be certain the extended operation would be successful along with providing fuel for the apparatus in use and food for the personnel on scene. The EVT's are an essential, and often invisible, portion of our success day in and day out. Portland Fire would like to also thank the crews that responded to the fire from Vancouver Fire to help us at the location for the first few hours. Lastly, with 3 different fire channels being used at one point in this fire, PF&R would like to acknowledge the assistance provided by the emergency dispatch center in this greater alarm fire.
All water used in this incident was captured by the on-site water collection system which will capture the water, strain out the particulates, and run it through the onsite purification process reducing the concerns of contaminated run off entering the watershed. PF&R recommends that if you are within the downwind pathway of the smoke from this, and any other fire, that you close your windows and shelter in place to reduce the harmful effects of the smoke on your respiratory system.
The companies on scene 6 hours after this incident began are beginning to be replaced by fire watch crews as the command staff is putting plans in place to have enough equipment in operation on scene to continue to extinguish the fire while releasing as many members as possible back to their home stations. Fire watch crews are planned to be at the site until midnight and will continue until the fire is completely extinguished.
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