Fourth of July is one of the busiest days of the year for first responders, with the double-whammy of a blaze-prone holiday paired with hot and dry temperatures, which were especially bad this year.
Thus Thursday, July 4, was anything but festive for Gresham Fire & Emergency Services, with crews facing nine vegetation fires, three residential fires, three illegal fires, three fire alarm investigations, and one explosion.
The work continued into the early morning hours of Friday, July 5, with another vegetation and residential fire.
On top of all that were other duties expected of firefighters, including medical emergencies, carbon monoxide reports, lift assists, odor investigations, and more.
Here is the call log for 2024 Independence Day related to fires and fireworks:
Illegal fire, 1:54 p.m. Thursday, July 4, at 732 S.W. 15th St., in TroutdaleVegetation fire, 4:38 p.m., at 439 N.E. 223rd Ave.Vegetation fire, 5:58 p.m., at 3452 S.W. Second St.Fire alarms, 6:45 p.m. and 7:03 p.m., at 19000 N.E. Sandy Boulevard and 2742 N.E. 22nd Ct.Illegal fire, 8:01 p.m., at 17550 N.E. Pacific St.Fire alarm, 8:11 p.m., at 20502 N.E. Interlachen LaneVegetation fire, 8:39 p.m., at 1624 S.W. Wright Pl., in TroutdaleVegetation fire, 8:46 p.m., at 31837 S.E. Bluff Rd.Vegetation fire, 9:45 p.m., at 1698 S.W. Cherry Park Rd, in TroutdaleExplosion, 9:50 p.m., at 2575 S.W. Lillyben Ct.Illegal fire, 10:04 p.m., at 1905 S.W. 257th Ave., in TroutdaleVegetation fire, 10:06 p.m., at 2246 S.E. 179th Ave.Residential fire, 10:30 p.m. at 3794 S.E. 15th TerraceVegetation fire, 10:43 p.m., at 19108 N.E. Hassalo St.Residential fire, 10:56 p.m., at 1139 S.W. Fifth Way, in TroutdaleVegetation fire, 11:05 p.m., at 17884 E. Burnside St.Residential fire, 11:33 p.m., at 1440 N.E. Cochran Dr.Vegetation fire, 11:48 p.m., at S.W. Towle Ave. and S.W. 10th Ct.Vegetation fire, 1:05 a.m. Friday, July 5, at Westbound I84 and Northeast 181st Ave.Residential fire, 3:49 a.m., at 820 S.E. 190th Ave.
Meanwhile a burn ban remains in place across Multnomah County. That means no backyard burning, recreational campfires and fire pits, and agricultural burning.
Though outdoor barbecuing using grills, smokers and similar cooking appliances remains permissible, residents are urged to use the utmost caution. When using charcoal briquettes, ensure proper disposal of ashes in a covered metal container away from combustibles, and keep those ashes wet for several days.
Maintain a distance of 10 feet between outdoor cooking setups and anything combustible, such as siding, fences or shrubbery.
Smokers are reminded to extinguish cigarettes completely before disposal. Residents in rural settings should also maintain defensible space around structures by monitoring vegetation growth around homes and structures, and ensuring adequate access for firefighting equipment.
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