Find out how Portland Fire & Rescue crews kept homes safe, as flames climbed into the treetops along I‑84 in outer East Portland …
At their third major brush fire of the day, Portland Fire & Rescue crews roll out water line hoses at the site of a brush and tree fire along I‑84 – near NE 80th Avenue, in the Madison South neighborhood .
By David F. Ashton
On Friday, August 28, 2026, at about 4:30 p.m., Portland Fire & Rescue (PF&R) crews responded to a fast-moving brush and tree fire along Interstate 84 near NE 80th Avenue in the Madison South Neighborhood in outer East Portland, after a number of 9‑1‑1 callers reported flames visible from the freeway during rush hour.
The incident capped a busy six-hour stretch in which PF&R handled three significant vegetation fires in Northeast and North Portland. Earlier, firefighters dealt with a series of grass fires – along with a vehicle fire – on Marine Drive, followed by a large burning log on the banks of the Willamette River in North Portland.
Crews had to cut their way to the fire through heavy brush, trees, and thick blackberry brambles at the end of a street to reach the flames.
The outer East Portland fire broke out in heavy brush and trees beside I‑84, close to homes in Madison South. Thick blackberry brambles at the end of the street blocked direct access, making it difficult to fully attack the flames.
Rescue 19, the Montavilla brush firefighting unit based on East Burnside Street at 73rd Avenue – and Squad 12, the specialized rescue engine from Parkrose on NE Sandy Boulevard equipped with pumping capabilities – arrived first, and began hosing water on the advancing fire.
With chainsaws in hand, firefighters work their way through heavy brush and blackberry bushes toward the advancing fire.
Because access into the burning area was so difficult, firefighters used a chain saw to open a narrow pathway through the brambles at the end of the street. On the other side, crews stretched several hose lines from Rescue 19 to reach the burning brush and trees.
To support that effort, Squad 12 was connected to a nearby fire hydrant and then pumped water into Rescue 19’s tank, which acted as the supply point for the hose lines laid deep into the brush. This relay allowed firefighters to cool and extinguish flames that had moved beyond the blackberry barrier and were burning close to nearby backyards.
As the vegetation fire grew vertically into the tree canopy, flames soared an estimated 30 feet. With the fire burning near a number of homes, the incident commander upgraded the call to a second alarm to ensure enough personnel and equipment would be available if the blaze ignited any structures.
A water line hose from Squad 12’s brush rig snakes through charred brush and blackened ground as crews mop up remaining hot spots.
Although the potential for structural involvement was clear, crews quickly knocked down the main body of fire before it could reach any houses. Because the blaze was brought under control so rapidly, many of the additional second-alarm companies were returned to service before ever reaching the site.
While this outer East Portland incident drew a large response, it was only one part of a demanding day for city fire crews. PF&R officials reported that, in addition to the three larger vegetation fires, firefighters had handled well over 15 smaller vegetation fires across the city as the region moved into the second half of wildfire season, and dry fuels continued to build.
Thanks to hard work and perseverance, the crew has knocked down the fire and cools remaining hot spots.
As investigators worked to determine what sparked the outer East Portland brush fire – along with the other vegetation fires that flared up across the city – PF&R officials emphasized that the incident serves as a reminder of how quickly dry fuels can burn, late in this severe wildfire season.
Photos courtesy of Portland Fire & Rescue
© 2026 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™
