PORTLAND, Ore. — A large pile of wood debris (sawdust and pallets) at a wood recycling plant in North Portland's St. Johns neighborhood continues to burn, but Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) said Thursday afternoon that it had started to pull back some of its crews from the scene.
The fire, which started around 8:15 a.m. Thursday, is expected to burn "for an extended period of time," fire officials said. No structures are threatened and PF&R said it doesn't expect the fire to spread beyond the pile where it's burning.
The wood recycling plant where the fire is burning is located in the area of North Lombard Street and Roberts Avenue. Fire crews directed elevated streams from an aerial ladder at the fire. Later, a heavy equipment operator cut into the large pile using heavy machinery and excavators already at the site to create a break in the fire and stop the flames from spreading throughout the entire pile.
PF&R said water supply was a challenge because of the distance between city of Portland fire hydrants and the scene of the fire. North Lombard Street was shut down for part of the morning and early afternoon so pump water could be relayed to the site. The street has since reopened.
Three fire trucks and three fire engines will remain at the scene of the fire for an extended period to make sure it's extinguished, PF&R said Thursday afternoon.
No injuries were reported and no residents were displaced.
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