Fire at Former Blue Heron Mill Closes Highway 99E

A significant fire broke out at the former Blue Heron paper mill in Oregon City early Thursday morning, which is expected to smolder for 24 to 48 hours. Firefighters from Clackamas County and surrounding areas responded to the 3-alarm blaze reported around 3:45 a.m., with no injuries reported so far. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality assured that the fire does not pose a risk to river and air quality. Consequently, Oregon 99E and other streets are closed, and residents are advised to avoid the area and use alternative routes. The site, owned by the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde since 2019, has experienced previous fire incidents, including one in 2020. Cleanup efforts will commence once the fire is fully extinguished, and residents finding ash on their property can wash it off with water.