A smoking front porch near SE Gladstone Street and SE Powell Boulevard was enough to send Portland Fire & Rescue racing across town on Wednesday, after a caller reported what the bureau described as a "possible residential fire." The initial alert did not include any word on injuries or how much damage, if any, had occurred.
Portland Fire & Rescue is responding to a possible residential fire near the intersection of SE Gladstone and Powell. Reports from a caller have seen a home with a porch "smoking".
— Portland Fire & Rescue (@PDXFire) June 24, 2026
Portland Fire’s Initial Alert
In a brief post, Portland Fire & Rescue said crews were headed to a "possible residential fire" in the area of SE Gladstone and SE Powell after a caller reported seeing a home with a porch "smoking." The bureau treated the message as an early heads-up and did not release any additional information.
Safety Advice for Neighbors
According to Portland Fire & Rescue, anyone spotting smoke or fire should call 9-1-1 right away and steer clear of breathing in smoke whenever possible. Neighbors are asked to keep streets and driveways clear so engines and trucks can get in and out quickly. If you are near the intersection, officials urge you to move upwind, stay back, and give firefighters room to work until they say the area is safe.
Context: Burn Ban and Fire Risk
The bureau recently put a summer burn ban in place because of hot, dry conditions and heightened fire danger, a move that comes with repeated reminders to be extra cautious around any open flame. The burn-ban notice and related safety tips are posted on FlashAlert.
At the time of the initial update, Portland Fire & Rescue had not released any further details about the call. This story will be updated if the bureau shares more information or posts an incident summary on its official channels.
