Level 3 Evacuation Ordered Near Newport Bayfront After Large Fire at Pacific Seafood Plant

Multiple agencies responded to a large structure fire at the Pacific Seafood facility on Newport's historic Bayfront. The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office initially issued Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations within a mile of the plant at 203 SW Bay Boulevard, later scaling back the zones except for Bay Boulevard between Hatfield Drive and Port Dock One, where businesses remain evacuated.

An evacuation shelter was first set up at Sam Case Elementary and later moved to Atonement Lutheran Church as wind conditions changed; the latter shelter has now been closed, according to the sheriff's office.

"We have greatly reduced those evacuation zones here for our community thanks to our fire department and the 18 fire departments and emergency management teams that have come here to assist," said John Fuller, public information officer for the city of Newport.

The evacuation was triggered by concerns over a potential ammonia leak from an anhydrous ammonia tank used for refrigeration. Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said her agency received the first call at 8:30 a.m. and deployed a state hazmat team. She noted that the main risk was a structural collapse that could puncture the tank, but at the latest check no tank had ruptured.

"We have additional fire resources coming in through the evening and we’re maintaining our state hazmat teams to do that plume modeling as necessary and air monitoring as well," Ruiz-Temple added.

Thick white smoke and a burnt-plastic odor were reported as the fire burned. Newport resident Cathie Rigby described the scene as "very gray and moody" with "billowing white clouds of fire smoke".

Fire crews contained the blaze, preventing spread to neighboring businesses, and the building partially collapsed. Newport Fire Chief Rob Murphy said all 30-40 workers inside at the time were accounted for, and no injuries have been reported, though one firefighter was treated for exhaustion.

State resources, including a Lane County strike team and a Marion County task force with additional engines and a ladder truck, were dispatched to support local firefighters through the night and into Monday.

Pacific Seafood released a statement saying the company is "devastated" by the fire, that all employees on site are safe, and that the focus will be on supporting staff and the community while investigations continue.

Governor Tina Kotek posted on social media that the state is closely monitoring the incident and will provide necessary resources to local fire teams.

Air quality monitoring will continue, and the city advises residents to wear masks if they need to be outdoors. The facility remains closed, and local officials and community groups are assessing the longer-term economic impact on Newport's harbor economy.