Toxic Smoke From Scrap Yard Fire Leads To More Evacuations

PORTLAND, OR — Air quality concerns caused by smoke from the five-alarm fire at a scrap yard in Northeast Portland led Portland Fire & Rescue officials to expand the evacuation zone around the fire area late Monday night.

Everyone living between Northeast 60th and Northeast 76th avenues, west to east, and Northeast Columbia Boulevard to Northeast Alberta Street, north to south, was evacuated overnight, following an emergency announcement from Multnomah County officials.

Multnomah County and the American Red Cross worked together to setup an emergency shelter for all evacuees at 1415 S.E. 122nd Ave.

The scrap yard fire at Northeast 75th Avenue and Northeast Killingsworth Street was first called in around 10 a.m. March 12. Immediately, commuters and residents took notice of the huge plume of black smoke billowing into the sky, raining down a fine particulate in the air made up of burning tires, oil, and metal.

Additional toxins in the air, according to the Oregon Health Authority, may also include asbestos, aldehydes, acid gases, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, styrene, metals and dioxins.

Officials have not yet announced what caused the fire.

Image via Portland Fire & Rescue