A fire at the WM Hillsboro Landfill sent embers into a dry field Saturday afternoon, sparking a 25-acre brush fire that forced two home evacuations and left one Hillsboro firefighter with heat-related injuries.
Dispatchers received multiple reports of a large column of black smoke near SE Minter Bridge Road around 4:20 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, according to Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. Firefighters arrived to find a fire burning trash and tires at the landfill and quickly spotted embers landing in a 40-acre field of cut grass to the south.
Gusty winds pushed flames rapidly through the dry grass, creating additional spot fires. The brush fire ultimately burned about 25 acres.
Two homes evacuated
As the fire moved toward nearby residences, crews evacuated two homes as a precaution and set up structure protection. Neither home was damaged.
One Hillsboro firefighter suffered minor injuries from overexertion in the heat while working the landfill fire. The firefighter was assessed on scene.
Four agencies, two bulldozers
The landfill fire itself covered just over one acre. Two bulldozers cut containment lines around the burning trash and tires, and the garbage fire was contained by approximately 7:30 p.m., according to KOIN.
Four fire agencies responded: Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, Cornelius Fire Department and Forest Grove Fire & Rescue. Due to the rural terrain, crews deployed brush rigs, engines and water tenders to attack the brush fire from multiple directions. The Beaverton Police Department provided a drone for aerial size-up.
By Saturday evening, firefighters had stopped the brush fire's forward progress and were conducting mop-up operations.
Road closure and investigation
SE Minter Bridge Road was temporarily closed during the response to give firefighters a safe operating area. The Washington County Sheriff's Office managed traffic control. The Washington County Consolidated Communications Agency coordinated dispatch for the incident.
A fire investigator is working to determine what started the landfill fire. The cause remains unknown, and no timeline for findings has been announced.
Residents who see smoke or fire in the area can call 911.
