Date: August 9, 2022
Location: Pendleton, Oregon (USA)
Address: 501 SE Emigrant Avenue, 97801
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Grain Dust
Industry: Grain Processing (Agriculture)
Equipment: Grain Silo
Company: Grain Craft
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to its website, Grain Craft is the third largest flour miller in the United States. It is headquartered in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and produces flour for breads, pastry, pasta, pizza, and other specialty uses. The mill in Pendleton, Oregon employs 22 people.
Incident Description:
On August 10, 2022, the East Oregonian reported a fire at a flour mill in Pendleton, Oregon.
The fire broke out at about 4:30 a.m. Pendleton Fire Department, Umatilla Tribal Fire Department, Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 were the first to respond to the scene. Soon after, fire departments from La Grande and Boardman also were responding. The silos were at full capacity of finished grain, so the fire fuel load was extreme.
It may have burned through the night: Pendleton and other fire departments responded to the mill on a report of white smoke on August 9 at 2:55 p.m. The Pendleton Assistant Fire Chief said a “rubber boot” that is part of the sifter may have caught fire. Crews had to get a hose up top to shoot water into a silo to put out the fire.
No injuries were reported. All signs point to the massive structure as a total loss.
Sources:
East Oregonian
