PORTLAND Ore. (KPTV) – A power pole fire in the Cedar Hills area late Monday night has led to lane closures in both directions along Highway 26, according to Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue.
TVF&R says firefighters responded to a power pole fire on SW Barnes Road just after 11 p.m. The fire was quickly brought under control, but TVF&R said the pole was threatening nearby MAX train service and all lanes of Hwy 26 in both directions near the 217 exit.
Highway 26 is expected to remain closed Tuesday during the morning rush. Drivers should find alternate routes and expect long delays.
Portland General Electric confirmed there was a fire on the top of the power pole, which they say is a normal occurrence for this time of year. Dust, dirt and other debris will accumulate on poles after a long period of no rain. PGE says after the first rain, it creates a kind of film on the insulator that allows electricity to “escape” the line, into the wood of the pole, creating what’s called a “pole top fire”.
PGE crews have responded to the area to make repairs. Power was restored to the Barnes area just after 6 a.m. Crews are still accessing the pole to determine whether it will need to be replaced.
MAX Blue and Red lines disrupted due to a commercial power outage near Sunset Transit Center. Shuttle buses serving stations between Beaverton Transit Center and Galleria/Library. Expect delays.
— TriMet Service Alerts (@trimetalerts) October 27, 2026
MAX Blue and Red lines were disrupted. Shuttle buses serving stations between Beaverton Transit Center and Galleria/Library.
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