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Blue Heron mill fire: Clackamas Fire says structure fire contained; demolition and monitoring underway
Summary
Clackamas Fire reported that crews contained the Blue Heron paper mill building fire, began demolition and debris removal, and will continue on-site monitoring; the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde have taken responsibility for demolition and have contracted Elder Demolition.
Clackamas Fire reported that firefighters contained a January fire at the former Blue Heron paper mill and that demolition and debris removal are underway under the property owner’s supervision.
According to a statement read at the meeting, Clackamas Fire said the spread of the fire was controlled early Thursday afternoon, preventing it from spreading to adjacent buildings on the complex. Firefighters could not safely enter the damaged building because of structural instability, so unified command with the property owner, the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, determined demolition was the safest option.
Clackamas Fire said Department of Environmental Quality personnel on site identified no environmental hazards from ash or runoff and that air-quality sensors detected no contamination. The statement cautioned the public that occasional flare-ups and smoke might be visible during demolition and debris removal and urged residents not to call 911 or news tip lines about visible flames because on‑site personnel are monitoring the scene.
The fire response team controlled active spread and then made crews available as heavy equipment began debris removal; Clackamas Fire said the cleanup could take several weeks. The property owner contracted Elder Demolition to remove structures; Clackamas Fire said it had discontinued active firefighting operations and remained on standby while the tribe’s contractor performs demolition.
Highway 99 East has reopened and rail operations resumed. Clackamas Fire asked residents to follow official agency channels for updates and to avoid calling emergency dispatch about routine visible smoke from the site.
