Press Release
Grass Fire in Thousand Acres Area
Tuesday, August 19, 2025 – 8:30 PM

On Tuesday, August 19th, at approximately 8:30 p.m., Corbett Fire was dispatched to a reported grass fire near 2999 Thousand Acres Road. This area is known to have a large unhoused population and has recently been in the news regarding efforts to vacate the property. The site has a history of dangerous conditions and multiple prior fire incidents.

Due to safety concerns, assistance from the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office was requested to provide protection for fire crews. Upon arrival, Corbett Fire deployed its drone to help locate the fire. Crews discovered an approximately 30 x 30-foot grass fire burning near a makeshift structure. Several residents of the encampment were observed actively attempting to suppress the fire.

Access to the fire was extremely difficult. Oregon Division of State Lands, which owns the property, does not have a fire protection agreement with Corbett Fire. The district does maintain agreements with the U.S. Forest Service and Oregon State Parks for fire protection. Corbett Fire’s policy is to aggressively engage in any fires within its district or along bordering properties. In this case, access roads that were previously available had been blocked without consultation with Corbett Fire, forcing crews to create an entry point through a guardrail and gate.

Once inside, firefighters encountered numerous hazards, including ditches dug across roadways, barricades, barking dogs, and resistance from some residents who stated they did not want assistance. Corbett’s small brush apparatus attempted to reach the fire area but was met with significant obstructions. Using the drone, firefighters monitored from above as residents of the camp dug fire lines and suppressed the flames with dirt. Given the hostile environment and safety risks, Corbett Fire determined it was safest to continue observation by drone. The fire was fully extinguished prior to crews leaving the scene.

This area continues to pose significant risks, with frequent medical emergencies, assaults, fatalities, and fires. Corbett Fire urges the public to avoid the area for their own safety.

-Chief Rick Wunsch, Corbett Fire District #14