On Friday afternoon, December 6 several callers near Wilsonville reported dark smoke west of I-5 near Elligsen Road. TVF&R firefighters responded to the rural area near Grahams Ferry Road where they located a large barn with an attached, converted residence that was fully engulfed in flames. Without fire hydrants, firefighters from the south Wilsonville and Tualatin stations initially had to use the small supply on their engines and began shuttling additional water to the scene using several water tenders with large tanks holding 1800-2000 gallons of water. Over 1500’ of hose was stretched down a long gravel road to fight the fire and protect exposures including a grain silo and large propane tank.

Over 30 firefighters worked for 45 minutes to control the blaze and hours more in frigid temperatures to fully extinguish hot spots. Most of the building and its contents were destroyed, but firefighters were able to keep the fire from spreading to nearby homes and fields. There is no damage estimate at this time and the fire remains under investigation.

Public works employees and law enforcement officers from the City of Wilsonville also spent hours supporting fire operations with road closures and traffic control.