Highway 26 closed during morning commute from Sylvan to Highway 217 after power pole fire

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) – Highway 26 was closed between Sylvan Hill and Highway 217 until Tuesday morning after an overnight fire damaged power lines, knocking out power to hundreds and creating a hazard along Sunset Highway.

Tualatin Valley Fire & Emergency services said their crews were called to a fire on a utility pole on SW Barnes Road late Monday evening.

Crews extinguished the fire, but it damaged power lines and created a hazard for the MAX line and nearby highway.

Crews from Portland General Electric (PGE) worked through the night and morning to replace damaged lines.

The highway was reopened shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday.

PGE said the incident was caused by a rare “pole top fire,” which can occur when dust and other contaminants accumulate at the top of a pole over a long dry period, and the debris causes heat or arcing when it becomes wet, igniting dry wood.

“We understand how frustrating this can be for people, especially during the morning commute. We are working as quickly as safety allows,” the PGE spokesperson said.

DETOUR INFORMATION

Drivers have been asked to postpone their trip where possible or consider finding an alternative route.

Westbound drivers were redirected to the Sylvan exit for a detour to Highway 217. From there, they could join westbound Highway 26 at the 217 interchange.

Eastbound drivers can take Highway 217 southbound to Canyon Road, head east, and merge onto Highway 26 eastbound at the Sylvan on-ramp.

Some drivers heading north on Highway 217 might also take Barnes Road to Burnside, over the hill to Portland.

POWER OUTAGES & TRIMET

Portland General Electric said its crews were working through the morning to make emergency repairs.

“Reopening roads and restoring power have different timelines because crews may make the area safe for traffic before all electrical repairs needed to restore service are completed,” a PGE spokesperson told KATU.

Around 5:30 a.m., Portland General Electric reported that more than 2,500 customers were without power near Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. That number had dropped to just over 400 around 7 a.m.

TriMet said the power outage was impacting MAX train traffic at the Sunset Transit Center.

They offered shuttles to riders.

Here’s a live look at traffic impacts and potential detours you can take from the KATU News Live Drive:

This is a developing story; updates will be posted as information arrives.