Date: May 25, 2020
Location: Cascade Locks, Oregon (USA)
Address: 5 Cramblett Way, 97014
Type: Dust Fire
Fuel: Wood Dust
Industry: Wood Pellet Production (Wood and Wood Products)
Equipment: Sawdust Storage Shed
Company: Bear Mountain Forest Products
Database Incidents: None Recorded
Loss: No Injuries
Capital Cost: Unknown
Status: Open
Confirmation: Unconfirmed
Company Description:
According to the company’s website, Bear Mountain Forest Products is a manufacturer of fuel pellets, fire bricks, and fire starters. It was founded in 1988, is headquartered in Cascade Locks, Oregon, and employs 23 people at that location. The company has a second plant in Brownsville, Oregon.
Incident Description:
On May 27, 2020, Hood River News reported a fire at a wood pellet production company in Cascade Locks, Oregon.
Cascade Locks Fire Department volunteers arrived at 9:14 p.m., on May 25, soon after a sheriff’s deputy on patrol reported the fire. They found heavy fire outside the building and in a sawdust storage area attached to the main mill.
The flames progressed into the mill, damaging a 30’ x 40’ section and causing minor equipment damage. One firefighter stated that the fire “ate up two rafter bays,” and personnel had to cut away beams to access it. Once it was safe to do so, they entered the building to deal with hot spots.
Logan said the fire “ate up two rafter bays,” and firefighters cut away to beams to get access. One storage area was heavily damaged along with a pile of sawdust and the shed covering it.
No injuries were reported, as the plant’s employees were home celebrating Memorial Day. One storage area was damaged, along with a pile of sawdust and the shed covering it, but no finished product was lost.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Sources:
Hood River News
