Firefighters faced significant challenges as they battled a fire at a cannabis growing operation on Saturday.
A caller reported that smoke was coming from inside a building. Estacada Fire District responded just before 11 a.m. to the Estacada Industrial Park on Northwest Noble Drive.
Firefighters encountered smoke coming from the eaves and entryway of a large commercial structure that was determined to house a marijuana grow. Crews were met inside with extreme heat and no visibility down to the floor with racks of cannabis plants stacked wall-to-wall.
Several pressurized carbon dioxide containers, liquid and granular fertilizers, large storage tanks and other materials posed a hazard to responding crews, according to the Estacada Fire District.
Due to the dangers presented, another large commercial building behind the facility was evacuated as a precaution.
Portland General Electric was also called in to make sure the building was safe for crews to enter.
Conditions were improved for crews by ventilating the fire through the roof. Firefighters crawled beneath the racks of marijuana plants to reach the source of the fire. A drone assisted in providing aerial monitoring of fire suppression and ventilation operations.
Hazmat teams from Clackamas Fire District No. 1 and the Gresham Fire Department responded to evaluate any potential concerns with water runoff or airborne hazards.
“Although elevated carbon monoxide levels were detected, they were quickly reduced through ventilation, and no threat to the public was identified,” the fire district said.
The cause remains under investigation. A firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion and was able to return to service. There were no injuries reported.
