Austin Fire Ash Covers Cars in Gresham, Eastern Portland Suburbs

On the morning of April 1, 2025, residents in eastern Multnomah and Clackamas counties woke up to find a layer of fine ash coating their cars, driveways, and outdoor furniture. The ash came from the Austin Fire, a wildfire burning in east Clackamas County that intensified overnight, sending a dense smoke plume northwestward around 3 a.m.

The plume was picked up by Storm Tracker 2 Doppler Radar, which showed it drifting toward the metro area. Meteorologists noted a slight southeast wind at the lowest atmospheric level, based on the morning weather balloon launch from Salem, which carried the ash straight into Gresham, Troutdale, and parts of southeast Portland. A viewer in Gresham captured photos of ash covering his vehicle, a common sight across the region.

Fire Status and Response

The Austin Fire, ignited earlier this week, grew to an estimated 2,500 acres by Tuesday morning. According to the Clackamas County Fire District, the blaze is now 20% contained, thanks to overnight air tanker operations and ground crews working to protect structures in the area near the Bull Run Watershed. No evacuation orders are currently in effect, but officials are monitoring conditions closely as winds shift. “We’re expecting a dry, breezy afternoon, which could challenge containment,” said a fire district spokesperson.

Air Quality Concerns

The ashfall has prompted the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to issue a “yellow” air quality alert for Multnomah and Clackamas counties, advising sensitive groups, including children, older adults, and people with respiratory conditions, to limit outdoor activity. Dr. Melissa Chen, a pulmonologist at Providence Portland, warned that even small amounts of ash can irritate lungs. “The particles are fine enough to enter deep into the airways. If you see ash, stay indoors and run HEPA filters,” she said.

Residents and Experts Weigh In

Gresham resident Rob Grimes, who sent in the photo of ash on his car, said he was surprised by the amount. “It looked like a light dusting of snow, but it’s ash. I had to wash my car before work,” he said. Several neighbors reported similar observations. The ash is expected to continue accumulating in areas downwind if the fire remains active.

What’s Next

Firefighters are preparing for a shift in wind direction late Tuesday, which could push the plume toward the Columbia River Gorge. The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the region due to low humidity and gusty winds, increasing the wildfire risk across the state. The Austin Fire remains under investigation, but officials believe it was human-caused.

For the latest updates, residents are urged to monitor the Clackamas County Fire District’s social media and the Oregon Smoke Information Blog. Meanwhile, car owners in the affected areas are advised to wash their vehicles with a gentle detergent to avoid scratching the paint, and to wear a mask when cleaning outdoors.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.