08.29.2023

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Today’s Forecast

49º | Showers | 84% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:50 a.m. | Sunset 4:40 p.m.

Keeping tabs on the Camp Creek Fire

Lightning-sparked fire burns near Portland’s primary source of drinking water

Looking east across a reservoir toward billowing smoke above dense conifer forest with water treatment infrastructure in the foreground.

The Portland Water Bureau said the long-term impacts of the Camp Creek Fire on the Bull Run Watershed might not be clear until the rainy season returns. | Photo via US National Forest Service

A wildfire is burning near Portland’s primary source of water in the Bull Run Watershed. Here’s what we know about the Camp Creek Fire.

Lightning sparked the blaze burning northeast of Sandy in the Mount Hood National Forest on Thursday, Aug. 24. As of late Monday morning, Aug. 28, it was 0% contained and had grown to about 1,600 acres in size, though crews said somewhat favorable conditions over the weekend had slowed its progression.

Is Portland’s water safe?

Yesterday afternoon, the Portland Water Bureau said the fire had crept closer to the city’s leading water source, burning approx. 1.3 miles from Reservoir 1 and 2.1 miles from the Headworks treatment facility on the western side of Reservoir 2. Officials said the body of water serves as a “natural buffer” between the treatment plant and the fire burning to the east.

Despite its close proximity, the bureau said Portland’s water was still safe to drink. Officials said the fire was mostly moving away from Headworks and the site’s water supply infrastructure is “highly defensible.”

How does a fire impact water quality?

Fire retardant used by crews to suppress flames in the Bull Run Watershed is made of 85% water, 10% fertilizer, and 5% “minor ingredients.” The Multnomah County Health Department said these ingredients pose a negligible risk to public health and, if they entered the reservoirs, would be diluted by billions of gallons of water (the same applies to falling ash). Retardants will not be used in areas that drain into the reservoirs.

Chlorine and diesel fuel for a backup generator are stored at the facility. In the event of a full evacuation, chlorine cylinders would be sealed and other flammable chemicals would be safe in fire-resistant containers.

Find the latest information about the Camp Creek Fire on InciWeb; follow the Portland Water Bureau’s fire-related updates here.

Events

Tuesday, Aug. 29

Devin Phillips Quartet | Tuesday, Aug. 29 | 7 + 9 p.m. | The 1905, 830 N. Shaver St., Portland | $15-$20 | The band’s New Orleans-born namesake relocated to the Rose City after Hurricane Katrina hit his home in 2005 and has been serenading Portlanders with his saxophone skills ever since.

Wednesday, Aug. 30

Kenton Farmers Market | Wednesday, Aug. 30 | 3-7 p.m. | North McClellan Street + North Denver Avenue, Portland | Free | Celebrate getting over the hump by shopping for local produce while enjoying the street-fair atmosphere and live music.
OMSI After Dark: PetPalooza | Wednesday, Aug. 30 | 6-10 p.m. | OMSI, 1945 SE Water Ave., Portland | $25 | Meet animal experts, get to know local adoption agencies, and learn how to read your pet’s body language at this 21+ event with music, food, drinks, and science demonstrations.

Thursday, Aug. 31

Americana Harvest Nights | Thursday, Aug. 31 | 6 p.m. | Topaz Farm, 17100 NW Sauvie Island Rd., Portland | $7.50-$15 | Listen to country rock band Hooks & The Huckleberries and singer-songwriter Alison Self while sharing food and drinks surrounded by friends, family, and farm animals.
Swift Watch | Thursday, Aug. 31-Saturday, Sept. 30 | 6:30-9 p.m. | Chapman Elementary School, 1445 NW 26th Ave., Portland | Free | Bring a blanket and find a spot on the lawn to watch a seasonal spectacle as thousands of migrating Vaux’s swifts circle the skies above the school’s chimney before settling in to roost for the night.

Friday, Sept. 1

Lindsey Stirling | Friday, Sept. 1 | 7:30 p.m. | RV Inn Style Resorts Amphitheater, 17200 NE Delfel Rd., Ridgefield | $30-$99 | The charismatic violinist will put on a spellbinding show that blends classical music, pop, and hip-hop.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Cause

Labor Day Weekend is fast approaching, along with the first-ever Pedal Around Portland. On Saturday, Sept. 2, bicyclists can meet at a Trek Bicycle shop in the Portland area to embark on a GPS-guided route. Registration is $25; an extra $25 will provide a bike to a child in need.

Eat

One of the weekend’s best perks is brunch. If you agree, then mark your calendar for Worry Not! Vol. 2 — a pop-up “not-so-boozy” brunch event on Sunday, Sept. 24, at CH Northeast in the Sullivan’s Gulch neighborhood. Register online to try classic dishes prepared by Chef Charlie McMullin paired with zero-proof cocktails.

Outdoors

Photographers are flocking to Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge to see a black swan. No, not the psychological horror film starring Natalie Portman — an actual swan with black plumage that’s been in the area since at least early June. Experts speculate the creature escaped from a private collection or wildlife sanctuary. (The Oregonian/Oregon Live)

Coming Soon

Twisted Gyros, a Hillsboro-based food cart selling pita wraps stuffed with everything from chicken shawarma to “piña colada” shrimp, will soon move into a permanent space. When it opens sometime in late fall or early winter, the restaurant at 2401 NE Cornell Rd., Ste. P will offer an expanded menu. (Eater Portland)

Stat

The price of domestic airfare at Portland International Airport increased nearly 9% in the past year. Average prices rose from $365.21 in the first quarter of 2022 to $397.43 in the first quarter of 2023. Still, PDX’s price increase flies under the nationwide average of 16%. (SmartAsset)

Sports

The Rose City is the third-best in the US for fans of soccer, according to WalletHub. Los Angeles and Seattle took the No. 2 and 3 spots, respectively, in the personal finance website’s ranking of best soccer cities. Portland ranked second for best-performing NWSL teams. (WalletHub)

Finance

How many cards are in your wallet? Make your answer “one.” Earn a $200 sign-up bonus simply by spending $500 in your first three months with this card. Pair that with 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for your first 15 months — oh, and unlimited cash back.*

Award

🚽 A top commode-ity

Announcing the best bathroom in Portland, according to our readers

mox boarding house bathroom portland pdx

Mox Boarding House’s bathroom. | Photo by Cambrie Juarez, PDXtoday

Portland was snubbed for this year’s America’s Best Restroom Award. That stinks — but we can roll with it.

We took matters into our own hands and asked our readers which Portland bathroom they thought should sit on the porcelain throne. It came down to the top three:

Barista, 823 NW 23rd Ave.
Mox Boarding House, 1938 W. Burnside St.
G-Love, 1615 NW 21st Ave.

And the best bathroom in Portland is...

Mox Boarding House. The restaurant and board game store took the majority of votes in what turned out to be a close race — but in the end, readers were drawn to Mox’s chandelier, ultra-private stalls, and communal hand-washing station. Barista was a close second with its wrap-around jaguar, while G-Love won third place as a write-in candidate thanks to its strong selfie game.

Congratulations, Mox. Your bathroom really is the crème de la commode.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Cambrie

From the editor

Craving a trip but don’t want to wander too far away? Check out Hells Canyon — the deepest gorge in North America. I revisited the area two summers back and definitely recommend adventuring along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway on the Oregon-Idaho border. It’s remote and cell service is very limited out there. Read more about what to expect.

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