Seneca officials describe fast-moving blaze at Iron Triangle mill; workers, crews used berming and rolling to contain heat

Fire Chief Mike Allen told the City Council that when crews arrived at the Iron Triangle mill blaze the entire east side of the site was "engulfed in flames," and John Day dispatch was called in for support.

Mayor Brad Smith said an excavator operator, Drew Mecham, was on site when wind gusts intensified and "within 10 minutes there were flames." Meeting participants described persistent internal ignition in the mill's hog pile and ongoing efforts to keep hot material from re-igniting by screening burned material, burning larger pieces in an air burner, using hot material as a berm around the edge of the pile, spreading the remaining hot material to a depth of less than 18 inches, then rolling it to limit oxygen exposure.

Zach Williams reported the hog pile "is always on fire internally" and said the mill is testing processing changes, including installing a new debarker that will alter the mix of output material and enable new markets. Speakers also said sawdust has been tilled into soil on portions of Jack Southworth's property as a reuse test. At the meeting, participants proposed installing a private fire hydrant at the end of the city street that abuts the Southworth property (to be paid for by the property owners) and discussed creating a fire line around the city as a broader prevention step.

Council members did not take a formal vote on infrastructure or processing investments during the meeting; the discussion closed with staff and mill representatives outlining possible next steps.