3 Boats and Dock Burn on Columbia River in Rainier

Firefighters battle blaze at Scipio's Goble Landing on Sunday afternoon

Apr. 5, 2026 at 10:48pm by Ben Kaplan

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Three boats and most of a dock along the Oregon side of the Columbia River at Rainier were destroyed in a fire on Sunday afternoon, according to officials. Vancouver Fire Department crews responded to the marine fire just after noon, and later requested assistance from Portland Fire & Rescue, though the fireboat was soon released from the scene.

Why it matters

Fires on the Columbia River can pose significant risks to nearby communities and the environment, especially with the involvement of multiple boats and docks. Authorities will likely investigate the cause of the blaze and assess any potential environmental damage.

The details

The fire broke out just past noon at Scipio's Goble Landing on the Oregon side of the Columbia River in Rainier. Vancouver Fire Department crews responded to the scene, and about an hour later requested assistance from Portland Fire & Rescue, who sent a fireboat to help. However, the fireboat was soon released from the scene. As of 3 p.m., officials said three boats were lost and most of the dock was destroyed.

  • The fire was reported just past noon on Sunday, April 5, 2026.
  • Vancouver Fire Department crews responded to the scene shortly after the initial call.
  • About an hour later, Vancouver Fire requested assistance from Portland Fire & Rescue, who sent a fireboat.

The players

Vancouver Fire Department

The fire department that responded to the initial call and led the firefighting efforts.

Portland Fire & Rescue

The fire department that sent a fireboat to assist with the response, though it was soon released from the scene.

Scipio's Goble Landing

The location along the Oregon side of the Columbia River where the fire broke out.

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What’s next

Officials said they will be releasing more information about the fire soon, including the potential cause and any environmental impact.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the risks of fires on the Columbia River, which can quickly spread and cause significant damage to boats, docks, and the surrounding environment. Authorities will likely focus on investigating the cause and assessing the full extent of the damage.