PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Flames from a car fire along Hwy 26 raced up the steep terrain on the side of the road Sunday, closing a section of the roadway near the Oregon Zoo for a while.
The fire erupted near the Canyon Tunnel around 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Portland Fire & Rescue said, closing the highway at Southwest Jefferson Street.
When crews got to the scene the flames from the disabled car had already moved up the hill and were visible to motorists in both directions.
Firefighters immediately upgraded the call to what authorites call a “Wildland Box,” that is, more crews plus two water tenders and two brush units along with an aerial tool.
Crews were able to contain the blaze — which was bigger than 100×100 — relatively quickly. Firefighters continued to look for hot spots for a while after the flames were out.
No one was hurt.
While PFR officials said the driver likely pulled off on the side of the road to be safe, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings during these hot months.
“If you can avoid going into the grass, I would probably do so,” said PFR’s Tremaine Clayton. “In terms of having a hot engine, and any possible hot embers that might be coming from a vehicle fire, staying away from any dry debris would be ideal. But again your safety is important.”
This area remains under a burn ban from the hot, dry conditions and the threat they pose for fast-spreading fires.