KATU News's video: Portland Fire called to 50 fire calls overnight on 4th of July majority caused by illegal fireworks

Portland Fire & Rescue responded to about 50 fires overnight on the Fourth of July, with fireworks to blame for at least half of them. One of those fires burned an abandoned building on Northeast Halsey Street that has a history of fire damage. Witnesses told fire crews they saw someone throw a firework into the structure around midnight, Portland Fire spokesperson Rick Graves said. More than two dozen other overnight fire calls were started by fireworks. “We’ve got hot, warm, blustery conditions. It just takes one little ember from a firework to get an entire field rolling,” said Graves. The temptation to set off fireworks, combined with a red flag warning for wildfire-prone conditions, made the Fourth of July a hectic night for firefighters. Of the 50 calls, 17 fires required the help of six fire engines, a term for large fires the bureau calls 'box calls.' On an average night, Portland Fire responds to 0-5 of these. Graves said crews were running all over the city, with the majority of calls coming in after dark between 9:30 p.m. and 3 a.m. This is all despite warnings from Portland officials that all fireworks are prohibited within city limits. Graves said what disturbed him the most about Tuesday night is a fire that ravaged a nature preserve in the Powell Butte area. “We have companies showing up to a grass fire that’s rolling its way up the hill, moving its way toward Powell Butte. To me that stands out. That is a magical part of our city that allows our city to be what it is," Graves said. Graves is asking people to respect the ban as the red flag warning continues through Wednesday. “If we have people just disregarding the preservation of that for their need to have a fireworks show on their own, it’s just really selfish. It’s inconsiderate of your neighbor,” said Graves. https://katu.com/news/local/portland-fire-responds-to-50-fire-calls-overnight-on-4th-of-july-majority-caused-by-illegal-fireworks _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: KATU on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katunews KATU on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KATUNews Subscribe to KATU on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmDTerxNU_gvCWLkIPkqghA/?sub_confirmation=1 Daily News Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFtHM_AbvnEUkd_YRTlZpGKkbczT5w062 For more information, visit https://katu.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: newstips@katu.com Call the Newsroom: 503.231.4222 KATU is a OR based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.