Strange Smell Spreads Across Portland as Officials Scramble to Locate Source

Oregon officials are struggling to determine the cause of an intense, pungent odor that has been reported by multiple residents in Cowlitz County and the Portland Metro Area.

The smell, which seems to have traveled down the Interstate 5 corridor, is not associated with any abnormal air quality readings, as stated by the Cowlitz County Department of Emergency Management.

Oregon Public Broadcasting reported that the department reached out to local gas pipeline manufacturers and operators in order to further investigate the odor. None of them reported any operational issues.

Furthermore, there was no unusual ship traffic on the Columbia River that could have caused the smell, leaving railroad operators, emergency managers and Washington ecology officials stumped.

According to emergency management director for Cowlitz County, Larry Hembree, Reports state that the odor is akin to the smell of burning rubber, natural gas, propane and ammonia.

"We are working with state and federal agencies to determine who is going to take the lead on this and what their actions will be in the future," said Hembree.

"PF&R was dispatched to 8 odor investigation calls throughout the night with the bulk of those between 2:30-3:00 AM," said Rick Graves, a Portland Fire & Rescue spokesperson. "The calls ranged in location from the St. John's Neighborhood all the way south to calls within the Foster-Powell Neighborhood. I am unaware of any medical treatment provided due to encountering the odor."