Motorists in the Portland metropolitan area faced significant disruptions Tuesday morning as a major stretch of Highway 26 remained closed for several hours following an overnight power pole fire. The closure, which affected the Sunset Highway between Sylvan Hill and the Highway 217 interchange, was the result of a “pole-top fire” that damaged electrical infrastructure and created hazardous conditions for both drivers and transit users.
According to emergency responders from Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue, crews were dispatched to a fire on SW Barnes Road late Monday night. While firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze relatively quickly, the resulting damage to power lines forced an immediate closure of the highway and impacted the nearby MAX light rail line. The road did not rejoin the flow of morning traffic until shortly after 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
Portland General Electric (PGE) officials identified the cause as a “pole-top fire,” a phenomenon that typically occurs when dust, salt, or other contaminants accumulate on insulators during prolonged dry periods. When light moisture—such as mist or light rain—finally hits the debris, it can create a path for electrical current to arc, generating enough heat to ignite the wooden pole.
The incident left thousands without electricity through the early morning hours. By 5:30 a.m., PGE reported more than 2,500 customers were without power, particularly in the area near Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. Utility crews worked throughout the night to replace the damaged hardware, successfully restoring power to the majority of residents by mid-morning. By 7 a.m., the number of customers affected had dropped to approximately 400.
PGE noted that the timelines for reopening the road and restoring power were separate because crews could make the area safe for traffic before all electrical repairs needed to restore service were complete. A company spokesperson acknowledged the frustration for commuters while emphasizing that crews were working as quickly as safety allowed.
The light rail system also saw significant interference. TriMet reported that the power outage impacted MAX train traffic at the Sunset Transit Center. To accommodate riders, the agency deployed shuttle buses to bridge the gap in service while the infrastructure was being repaired.
During the height of the morning commute, transportation officials urged drivers to postpone trips or seek alternate routes. Westbound traffic was diverted at the Sylvan exit toward Highway 217, where motorists could eventually rejoin Highway 26 at the interchange. Eastbound travelers were directed to take Highway 217 southbound to Canyon Road before heading east to rejoin Highway 26 at the Sylvan onramp. Some commuters also utilized Barnes Road and Burnside to navigate over the hills into Portland.
By the time the highway reopened at 10 a.m., the backlog of traffic had begun to clear, though secondary routes remained congested for some time as the city returned to its normal rhythm. PGE and fire crews remained on-site for a period to finalize repairs and monitor the equipment.
