Five-alarm fire closes area streets, schools, clinics

March 12, 2018

UPDATE 2:50 p.m. People seeking support or who have questions about shelter during an evacuation should go to the Red Cross Reception Center hosted at C3 Church at 5740 NE Portland Hwy.

A five-alarm fire at a salvage yard near the intersection of NE 75th Ave. and NE Killingsworth Street has caused several nearby schools, clinics and streets to close and forced evacuations of the nearby neighbors.

Portland Fire and Rescue evacuated residents closest to the blaze, between 72nd and 75th avenues and between Killingworth and Alberta streets. They are asking others to remain in their homes, with their doors and windows closed and HVAC systems turned off.

Smoke from burning tires may contain cyanide, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, and other dangerous chemicals. Children, the elderly and people with heart and lung  problems should take special care.

Sacajawea Head Start closed Monday morning while other nearby schools kept children indoors. Multnomah County's North East Health Center, La Clinica de Buena Salud and the social service program Bienestar de la Familia have evacuated their offices due to smoke.

Residents in the area should:

  • Turn off all air conditioning and heating
  • Close all doors and windows.
  • Do not call 911 for information about the fire. Instead, tune in to local media.