Second large fire breaks out at Nortland Portland metal recycling plant

Portland firefighters have now battled two large fires at a metal recycling plant in North Portland in just over a year.

The most recent fire broke out at the Radius Recycling facility near 12000 North Lombard Street at around 1:25 p.m. on Wednesday, July 17. Large plumes of black smoke drifted from the area toward Gresham, prompting Portland Fire & Rescue to tell residents to close their windows and stay inside.

“This is a large scrap piles of mixed metals with significant fire in at least two separate piles along with a structure located nearby possibly in danger if fire extending and consuming the structure,” PF&R announced on social media at the onset of the battle.

Almost 100 firefighters fought the 4-alarm fire through the afternoon. They used aerial ladder pipes, a foam unit, and two different fire boats pumping water from the Willamette River. It was declared under control in the early evening. The cause is still under investigation.

‘“With nearly 100 firefighters on scene, crews from across the city were strategically moved to best cover the city with companies traditionally operating out of Argay Heights in outer NE Portland relocated to the University Park Neighborhood. Additionally, there were stations on the periphery of the city staffed by members of our mutual aid partners from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue aiding in the coverage of the SW part of town,” PF&R announced.

The first fire broke out there on May 9, 2023, when it was owned by Schnitzer Steel. The source of the fire was an industrial metal shredder at the facility, PF&R said. Aerial ladder pipes were also used then to extinguish it.

No firefighters or plant employees were hurt in either fire.