No Pokémon Go At Hillsboro's Fire Stations, Fire Officials Say

HILLSBORO, OR — Don't chase Pokémon at Hillsboro's fire stations: That's the request released Wednesday by Hillsboro Fire Department spokesman Bruce Montgomery, who told Patch that more and more users of the Pokémon Go app have been showing up at fire stations across the city for "Raid Battles."

Raid Battles are a newer feature of the popular Pokémon Go mobile app, putting Pokémon trainers (users) together for larger-scale gym raids to take down tougher boss Pokémon characters. According to Montgomery, Hillsboro's fire departments have long been popular hotspots for catching Pokémon, but the new raid features show the potential for causing larger problems at the agency's emergency response facilities.

"At one point we had a group of six to 10 people parking in the (Station 3) lot and wandering out in front of the station," he said. "They're very intent looking at their phones and not with what's going on around them."

While Hillsboro officials enjoy seeing folks get together for fun outdoor activities, not paying attention to your surroundings while wandering an active fire station is dangerous, Montgomery said. "We just want folks to be aware.

Every station in Hillsboro has seen a handful of visitors over time, Montgomery said, but Station 3 at Ronler Acres appears to be the most popular location for Pokémon trainers.

Located at 4455 N.W. 229th Ave., off the Evergreen Parkway near the Gordon Faber Recreational Complex and Ron Tonkin Stadium, Station 3 offers fire crews quick access to the city's industrial area as well as North Hillsboro and Highway 26.

There haven't been any reported disruptions to fire service as a result of Pokémon Go players getting in the way, Montgomery said, but the department wants to be proactive in its effort to avoid any accidents in the future.

And how about the city's hard-working firefighters? Have they taken advantage of the apparent accumulation of Pokémon at Hillsboro's fire stations?

"None have admitted to it," Montgomery said with a laugh.

For fire and life safety information, visit: www.hillsboro-oregon.gov/departments/fire, or call 503-681-6166.

For up-to-the-minute information on what is happening at Hillsboro Fire Department, follow @HillsboroFire on Twitter.

Image: stux via Pixabay.com