See something we could improve on this page? Give website feedback.
Label:
Information
A massive fire blazed through the Centennial Mills building in NW Portland on Aug. 2. Casualties are probable. Multiple agencies are investigating. Building has been demolished. Site is closed to the public. Some roads and parks are still closed.
Last updated Sept. 4, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
Latest updates
September 4, 2026: Debris continues to be loaded out and hauled off for disposal. The water tank has been dismantled, and a significant amount of steel has been hauled off-site for recycling. See more information about the demolition below.
The building no longer poses a danger to the east (northbound) bicycle lane on Naito Parkway, though the sidewalk on the east side of the street remains closed as it is still within the fenced demolition area. See more information about the reopening of the east bicycle lane below.
The Fields Park remains closed to the public due to ongoing safety concerns stemming from the Centennial Mills fire. The closure applies to all areas of the park, including the off-leash dog area, playground, lawn, and walking paths. See more information below.
August 28, 2026: The Fields Park remains closed for cleaning until further notice. Deconstruction and remediation work continue. There remains an active fire investigation. Clean-up activities on streets near the site were undertaken. Here are more updates at the end of the fourth week since the fire.
August 25, 2026: Deconstruction and remediation activities continue where the former flour mill once stood. The north and west walls are now down almost to ground level. The east and south walls currently stand about two stories in height. This remains a dangerous area. Please heed the warnings, respect the barriers, and stay clear of the site.
Clean-up activities were undertaken over the weekend by Lions Contracting, a DEQ-licensed asbestos abatement contractor hired by Synergy Environmental, which was hired by the owner of the Centennial Mills property to manage clean-up activities away from the site of the Aug. 2 fire. Crews picked up pieces of charred debris believed to have resulted from the fire. Clean-up activities were completed in accordance with DEQ requirements.
Air monitoring that took place in the days after the fire showed that air contaminant levels measured outside the immediate fire area indicate a low health risk to the surrounding community.
The clean-up workers wear personal protective equipment because these are standard safety precautions used to protect workers who are directly handling or assessing debris on a regular basis. It does not indicate a risk to the public.
To minimize your exposure to dust and debris: Take your shoes off whenever you go into your home to avoid tracking debris inside. Wash your pet's feet when they come inside. Wash children's hands often with soap and warm water.
The Fields Park remains closed to the public due to ongoing safety concerns stemming from the fire-damaged Centennial Mills building adjacent to the park. The closure applies to all areas of the park, including the off-leash dog area, playground, lawn, and walking paths.
Before the park can reopen, required cleaning, environmental, and safety protocols must be completed to ensure the area is safe for employees, contractors, and the public. Park staff and safety partners are continuing to coordinate the necessary assessments and cleanup activities.
There is currently no confirmed reopening date for The Fields Park. The park will remain closed until required safety protocols are completed and the area has been cleared for safe public access.
August 21, 2026: Northwest Naito Parkway reopens to most traffic, though some detours remain in place.
August 20, 2026: The work of clearing debris at the site continues. An abatement company, which was hired by the property owner, is working with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to identify and remediate any hazardous materials. These remediation efforts are expected to take at least another two weeks.
Demolition of the building continues. The west wall of the building currently stands at about 20 feet in height and remains a collapse hazard. Efforts are underway by the abatement company to clean the right-of-way on NW Naito Parkway. NW Naito Parkway will be reopened once it is cleaned of debris, the west wall of the building is reduced to 10 feet in height or less, and it is confirmed that all utilities at the site are protected. The City hopes to reopen Naito Parkway to vehicular traffic by Friday evening.
The Fields Park remains closed until experts determine the area is safe from debris or other hazards.
August 18, 2026: Centennial Mills building is demolished. The Fields Park is still closed.
August 17, 2026: Demolition crew safely brings down the water tower.
August 15, 2026: City officials reach out to nearby homes and businesses with information about demolition activity. Contractors will use controlled explosions to take down the water tower on Aug. 17.
August 14, 2026: City officials expect demolition to begin early next week. A demolition contractor has begun mobilizing equipment to prepare for demolition. The contractor is in close contact with City officials.
August 12, 2026: City staff learn that Union Pacific moved rail cars containing toxic chemicals through the collapse zone, in an apparent departure from the safety plan that the railroad earlier shared with the City. City Administrator Raymond C. Lee III demands an immediate halt to the transportation of any toxic inhalation hazard chemicals through the zone. "Our objective is to prevent catastrophic harm while an unstable structure remains directly adjacent to active rail lines," Lee tells Union Pacific leaders.
August 11, 2026: Union Pacific is operating freight trains in the collapse zone. Amtrak is not running passenger trains there.
August 10, 2026: City officials holds news conference to highlight the risks of resuming freight operations near the site. Union Pacific assembles a ballast shield train on the rail track closest to the warehouse, forming a barrier to protect freight trains passing through the collapse zone. Mayor Keith Wilson declares an emergency and activates an incident command structure.
August 8, 2026: Union Pacific Railroad notifies the City of Portland that it will resume freight operations on rail lines adjacent to the Centennial Mills building – a decision characterized by city officials as a significant risk to health and safety.
August 7, 2026: K9 sweeps indicate high likelihood of human remains in Centennial Mills fire
What happened?
On Sunday, Aug. 2, Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a fire at the Centennial Mills building on NW Naito Parkway. Nearly 100 firefighters arrived on scene to address the emergency. Firefighters brought the blaze under control after two hours.
Each floor of the 116-year-old, 8-story disused flour mill collapsed in the fire, leaving a burned-out shell that was highly unstable.
Investigators are still determining the cause of the fire and searching for possible human remains of people who may have perished in the blaze.
The building was demolished on Aug. 18.
The site is still a crime scene, with multiple agencies involved. The demolition has cleared previously dangerous areas, providing investigators better access.
Please heed the warnings, respect the barriers, and stay clear of the site.
What do we know about fatalities and injuries?
No fatalities or injuries were reported in the immediate aftermath of the fire.
On Aug. 3, Portland Fire & Rescue engaged a K9 Human Remains Detection team to perform an initial sweep of the structure, with negative results.
However, K9 teams conducted two additional searches inside the warehouse on Aug. 6 that both resulted in positive alerts, indicating the potential presence of human remains. Investigators believe there is a high likelihood that human remains are buried in the rubble. These K9 units will continue be used on the site as needed until the fire investigation concludes.
What's open and what's closed?
The Fields Park is temporarily closed.
Northwest Naito Parkway is open to car traffic. The east bicycle lane on Northwest Naito Parkway has reopened between 9th and 15th avenues. Two-way pedestrian traffic continues to be routed through the west (southbound) bicycle lane. Southbound bicycle traffic must continue to share the roadway with vehicular traffic between 9th and 15th avenues. Drivers should use extreme caution, as people biking in the area share the travel lanes with motor vehicle traffic. Substantial truck traffic is expected to be ongoing to and from the site as work continues.
City staff understand this can be frustrating and disrupt people's lives. However, we take these actions out of an abundance of caution to protect public health and safety.
What about the Fields Park?
The Fields Park remains closed to the public due to ongoing safety concerns stemming from the Centennial Mills fire. The closure applies to all areas of the park, including the off-leash dog area, playground, lawn, and walking paths.
Before the park can reopen, required cleaning, environmental, and safety protocols must be completed to ensure the area is safe for employees, contractors, and the public. Park staff and safety partners are continuing to coordinate the necessary assessments and cleanup activities. The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Multnomah County Health Department, and Oregon Health Authority continue to oversee the cleanup. Environmental monitoring indicates conditions remain safe for cleanup work to continue.
While we are all eager for the park to reopen, there is currently no confirmed date. The park must remain closed until required safety protocols are completed and the area has been cleared for safe public access.
What's going on with rail traffic?
Amtrak has restored service between Portland and Seattle. Railroads have resumed freight operations.
Passenger and freight operations were suspended after the fire due to safety concerns. Engineers advised the City that vibrations from trains rumbling through the zone could destabilize the building.
For more details on railroad operations during this incident, see:
- Mayor declares emergency: City officials underscore risks of freight operations near Centennial Mills
- Union Pacific announces plans to resume freight operation near Centennial Mills building; City of Portland warns of health and safety risks
When was the building demolished?
The Centennial Mills building was mostly demolished on Tuesday, Aug. 18, though deconstruction and remediation work continues.
The City focused on the safe and timely removal of this damaged building. We worked closely with the property owner, its contractors, and public health agencies to achieve this.
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality was engaged to ensure proper asbestos abatement protocols are followed and to mitigate airborne hazards, including dust and particulate matter.
As of Sept. 4, debris continues to be loaded out and hauled off for disposal. The water tank has been dismantled, and a significant amount of steel has been hauled off-site for recycling. Much of the debris has fallen through the openings in the first floor and is well contained within the basement walls. The west and north walls, along with the west half of the south wall, have been reduced to the first-floor level. The east wall will remain at its current height for the time being while clean-up work continues.
For more details about demolition, see:
- Next steps for demolition | August 6
- Contractor arrives at Centennial Mills site to prepare for demolition | August 13
- Centennial Mills demolition set to begin next week | August 14
- With demolition approaching, City shares details and safety measures | August 15
- Water tower comes down -- with a bang | August 17
- Centennial Mills building demolished | August 18
Why did it take so long to demolish the building?
This was not a typical demolition.
Because the building was at imminent risk of collapse, the work required specialized engineering, equipment, and demolition expertise to protect workers, adjacent infrastructure, the railroad, and the surrounding community. The condition of the structure also limited the number of contractors with the specialized experience, equipment, and capabilities to safely perform this work. While everyone involved was committed to moving as quickly as possible, these factors require careful planning and coordination before demolition can safely begin.
What about air quality and debris?
The City of Portland has been working with our partners at the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and Multnomah County Public Health to monitor air quality and debris.
Air monitoring results indicate that air contaminant levels measured outside the immediate fire area do not pose a significant health risk to the surrounding community. Laboratory analysis of air samples confirmed these findings. The EPA has ceased air monitoring due to the results indicating low risk to the surrounding community.
Read the entire press release: Preliminary testing indicates low risk from debris and air after fire at NW Portland warehouse
Because the mill was constructed more than a century ago, the building contained asbestos and lead paint and likely contained other hazardous materials commonly used in older industrial buildings.
Records show that extensive asbestos abatement was completed in previous years, but not all asbestos was removed from the structure before the fire. Asbestos-containing materials were damaged during the fire and debris samples have tested positive for asbestos. However, air monitoring results indicate potential exposure to asbestos from the air to nearby residents and the broader community is low.
How will ash and debris be cleaned up in the community?
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality worked with the Centennial Mills property owner to hire Synergy Environmental and its sub-contractor, Lions Contracting, to assist with fire debris-related cleanup in the community. Over the next few weeks, workers will be cleaning up debris and ash in the neighborhood along nearby roads and sidewalks, at residences and businesses, and in parks, playgrounds, and other sensitive areas.
Anyone with concerns about potential fire-related debris on their property, please use the following contact information for assistance:
- Email: CentennialMills@rrbc-inc.com
- Phone: 888-490-6275, Option #1
In addition to removing debris from parks and playgrounds, crews will wet-wipe playground structures, completely remove and replace playground wood chips, sample park and playground soil for lead, and conduct wipe sampling to confirm lead is not present on play structures and surrounding areas.
How do I get rid of ash and debris?
The fire has generated ash and debris. Air monitoring results indicate that air contaminant levels measured outside the immediate fire area do not pose a significant health risk to the surrounding community.
Asbestos-containing materials were burned during the fire, and debris samples have tested positive for asbestos. A monitoring suggests potential asbestos exposure from the air to nearby residents and the broader community remains low. However, we recommend caution when disposing of ash and debris.
If you decide to independently remove ash and debris from your property, here is some guidance from the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality on how to safely do so:
- Avoid sweeping it dry.
- Wear gloves and a mask.
- Lightly mist it with water before cleanup, place it in a plastic bag and tie it tightly.
- Place in a second plastic bag, tie tightly, and dispose in the trash.
- Wash hands.
I see workers wearing protective clothing and other personal protective equipment in my neighborhood. Is it safe to be outside?
Yes, it is safe to be outside. Air monitoring that took place in the days after the fire showed that air contaminant levels measured outside the immediate fire area indicate a low health risk to the surrounding community.
Crews wear personal protective equipment as a standard occupational safety precaution because they regularly handle or assess debris. This does not indicate a risk to the surrounding public.
Community air monitoring conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in the days after the fire found low or nondetectable levels of asbestos and other air contaminants. Separate air monitoring conducted for asbestos by the asbestos abatement contractor next to the building during demolition also found low or nondetectable levels. These results indicate a low risk to the general public.
To minimize your exposure to dust and debris: Take your shoes off whenever you go into your home to avoid tracking debris inside. Wash your pet's feet when they come inside. Wash children's hands often with soap and warm water.
What is asbestos?
Asbestos is a mineral fiber. When inhaled as dust over many years, it can increase the risk of cancers of the lung and lining of the lung.
Asbestos mainly affects the lungs and the lining that surrounds the lungs. Breathing high levels of asbestos fibers for a long time may result in scar-like tissue in the lungs and in the lung lining. This disease is called asbestosis and is found in workers who are frequently exposed to asbestos.
Breathing asbestos over many years can increase the risk of cancer in people. There are two types of cancer caused by long-term exposure to asbestos: lung cancer and mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is a cancer of the thin lining surrounding the lung or abdominal cavity. Cancer from asbestos generally does not develop immediately, but shows up after several years.
For more information about asbestos and health, see the CDC's Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry's ToxFAQs in English and Spanish.
Videos
- How to safely dispose of ash and debris from a fire
- Cómo desechar de forma segura las cenizas y los escombros de un incendio
Printable information
How can I get emergency alerts if something happens?
Go to PublicAlerts.org and sign up to get alerts when an emergency is happening near you. Make sure your smartphone is enabled to receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs).
Can I fly a drone over the site?
The City discourages anyone, including news media, content creators, and the general public, from flying drones over the Centennial Mills building. The building and its surroundings are currently an active crime scene. FAA regulations and Oregon laws may make it illegal to fly drones and other UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) over the site.
What's next?
Investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire and recover the remains of anyone who may have perished in the blaze.
Please heed the warnings, respect the barriers, and stay clear of the site.