A historic flour mill in Oregon owned by the nation’s biggest independent flour milling company has been completely destroyed by a fire.
Authorities are describing the Grain Craft mill in Pendleton as a total loss after a small fire that began on Tuesday afternoon reignited early Wednesday morning while the building was empty, fully engulfing the mill due to the significant amount of dry grain it was housing as well as its wood structure.
Pendleton Assistant Fire Chief Tony Pierotti told the media that the fuel load was “extreme” because the silos were filled with finished grain.
Authorities have been keeping the area clear in anticipation of the potential collapse of the building, which is more than 100 years old, as well as the amount of slow-burning grain. The mill is surrounded by the county courthouse as well as businesses and homes.
The fire was reportedly caused by mechanical failure that may be related to a sifter’s filter. Police Chief Charles Byram said: “It happened in the mill itself, with one of the pieces of equipment, with a rubber bushing or housing that obviously got too hot and started the fire.”
There were no injuries, but some buildings in the immediate area sustained smoke and water damage. The mill had been processing a significant amount of flour as the fire occurred right in the middle of harvest season.
Although an exact figure was not available, employees of the mill have estimated that there were “hundreds of thousands of pounds of processed flour in the bins.” An estimated cost of the damages is not yet available.
The company is now working with Pacific Northwest wheat farmers to handle the excess supply. Although they have never disclosed the building’s production capacity and it is difficult to determine the full extent of the damage, the president of the Oregon Wheat Growers League, Ben Maney, said that a substantial number of area farmers bring their grain to the facility, which he described as a staple in the Pendleton community.
Fire yet another hit for struggling wheat farmers
Maney said the fire is just the latest hit for growers who are still struggling after the severe drought of last year. Some crops rebounded thanks to the spring rains this year, but many farmers lack home storage for their grain and relied on the mill.
He noted: “A lot of farmers don’t have home storage, and they can’t store that grain on their farm. For this heartbreaking event to happen today, it puts the community and a lot of the farmers in a tough situation. It hits the community hard.”
The farmer-owned flour company Shepherd’s Grain emailed customers to inform them of an interruption in flour supply as they work on a contingency plan and get wheat staged to be moved to another mill.
Byram pointed out that the fire will have a big impact on Pendleton, stating: “They’re a major employer; we are obviously an agricultural community that does a lot of dryland wheat farming. Wheat farmers from the surrounding area bring their wheat in here to the Pendleton flour mill. It’s yet to be determined what the impact is, but I can gauge it’s going to be significant.”
The mill makes flour for several types of foods, including tortillas and pizza. Oregon is America’s 11th biggest producer of wheat, and the crop is the third biggest cash crop for the state. Up to 90 percent of the wheat that is produced in Oregon is shipped to markets overseas, especially in Asia.
Sources for this article include:
Preparing for the Unexpected: Your Essential Partner in Health Readiness
In an increasingly unpredictable world—where supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, and global travel can leave us vulnerable to sudden health challenges—being prepared isn’t just smart; it’s essential.
That’s where Jase Medical steps in, offering innovative solutions that empower individuals and families to take control of their health with emergency medication kits designed for real-life scenarios. As someone who’s always advocated for proactive wellness, I was impressed by how Jase Medical combines expert medical guidance with convenient, customizable options to ensure you’re never caught off guard.
At the heart of their offerings is the Jase Case, a comprehensive emergency antibiotic kit priced at just $289.95. This powerhouse contains five life-saving antibiotics and five vital symptom-relief medications, capable of treating over 50 common infections—from respiratory issues and skin conditions to traveler’s diarrhea and more.
What sets it apart? It’s fully customizable with 28 add-on options, including a specialized KidCase for children ages 2-11, making it ideal for families.
Whether you’re stocking up for home emergencies or preparing for remote adventures, the Jase Case provides peace of mind with medications that boast extended shelf lives—up to five years or longer when stored properly, with studies showing 90% potency retention even after 20 years.
For those on the move, the Jase Go travel med kit at $129.95 is a game-changer. Curated by physicians, it addresses over 30 common travel ailments, from digestive upsets to minor injuries, ensuring explorers, hikers, and globetrotters can handle health hiccups without derailing their plans.
And for targeted concerns, Jase Medical offers specialized kits like the UTI Kit ($99.95), which includes test strips and treatments for urinary tract infections, vaginal candidiasis, and even jock itch, or the Parasites Kit (starting at $199.95), featuring compounded Ivermectin and Mebendazole to combat internal and external parasitic infections.
But Jase Medical isn’t just about one-off kits; their Jase Daily service provides an extended supply of your ongoing prescriptions, supporting hundreds of medications for chronic conditions like diabetes, heart health, high blood pressure, mental health, and more. This ensures long-term preparedness, safeguarding against factory shutdowns or extreme weather that could interrupt your regular supply.
The process couldn’t be simpler or more reassuring. Start by customizing your order online, then benefit from a thorough review by a team of world-class physicians who ensure safety and accuracy. In most cases, prescriptions are issued after a quick consultation—sometimes just a call to clarify allergies or needs—and your kit arrives discreetly at your door. While they don’t accept traditional health insurance, many customers use HSA cards, and refills are available for added convenience.
What truly stands out is the real-world impact. As radio host Glenn Beck puts it, “The supply lines for antibiotics already are stressed to the max. Please have some antibiotics on hand… You can do it through Jase.”
One satisfied customer shared, “It could have been a nightmare. Instead, the best trip we’ve had,” after their kit turned a potential health crisis into a minor blip during a family vacation.
In a time when health uncertainties loom larger than ever, Jase Medical isn’t just selling products—it’s delivering empowerment. Don’t wait for the next disruption; visit Patriot.TV/meds today to build your personalized emergency plan and step into a more secure tomorrow. Your health, and your family’s, deserves nothing less.
