OREGON CITY, Or.–The man who set fire at Blue Heron paper mill, convicted of arson, was sentenced to 60 months in prison. Christian Dukes of Oregon City entered a Guilty Plea to intentionally starting the fire at the mill on January 30th, 2025. He was sentenced to 60 months in state prison for the crime.
Please see some additional information from the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office:
Dukes admitted to intentionally setting a fire on Jan. 30, 2025, that destroyed a three-story building at the long-vacant paper mill at the south end of downtown Oregon City. Dukes stacked a pile of paper several feet high on the floor of the wooden building, then ignited it with a Bic lighter.
He disclosed that he was upset because he believed some of his belongings had been stolen by transients who camped on the property at 419 Main Street.
The fire suppression effort involved approximately 190 fire personnel. Three firefighters were injured while battling the blaze, which took hours to get under control.
“This fire created a very dangerous situation and put many people in harm’s way,” said Deputy District Attorney John Millar, who prosecuted the case.
Additionally, now that Mr. Dukes has been convicted of the crimes he was arrested for, his mugshot is now releasable under Oregon Law (House Bill 3273 – 2022)
Special thanks to OCPD Officers Hanes and LaPointe, Detective Wadsworth, Clackamas Fire, and the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office for their hard work and diligence on this investigation.
*** Information provided by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office***