Oregon man discovers makeshift car tire structure on his property, with someone seemingly living in it. Then he launched a GoFundMe to clean up the mess

A Portland, Oregon, man says he discovered a makeshift structure built from discarded car tires on his property, with signs that someone may have been living inside the improvised setup. He has now sought financial help for cleanup costs.

In his account shared through a crowdfunding effort, Tran said the site appeared to function as a temporary shelter made from stacked tires and other materials. Reports say evidence at the scene suggested someone may have been staying there, though officials have not confirmed any occupant tied to the structure.

Tran, however, confirmed he’s met and befriended the occupants and said the discovery created immediate safety and sanitation concerns. He also noted what he described as significant cleanup costs.

Tran’s tire troubles accelerated

In his description of the situation, Tran said the land already contained a significant number of discarded tires when he purchased it and prior to the discovery of the structure. He linked the accumulation to broader illegal dumping activity.

Within less than 90 days, the site was overwhelmed by hundreds, possibly thousands, of tires stacked up to six feet high. Investigators suspect the site was targeted by a fraudulent tire-recycling scheme.

Tran later launched a fundraising campaign on GoFundMe, saying the money would go toward debris removal, hauling services, and property restoration. The campaign frames the situation as an unexpected burden involving illegal dumping and site remediation.

Local officials have since acknowledged broader concerns tied to illegal tire dumping in the area, according to reporting from KPTV citing multiple agencies. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office confirmed it is aware of the situation. The agency said it is monitoring reports tied to property impacts and potential trespassing concerns, according to that reporting.

At the same time, Metro’s Rid Patrol program, which handles illegal dumping enforcement in the Portland metro region. It is investigating reports of large-scale tire dumping and coordinating with property stakeholders, officials said.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has also become involved in reviewing potential environmental violations, according to the same reporting.

As of now, authorities have not publicly identified any person linked to the makeshift tire shelter itself. They have not confirmed whether any enforcement action has taken place at Tran’s specific property.

Officials have instead described the situation within the broader context of illegal dumping activity. This can create hazardous conditions and long-term cleanup challenges for landowners, officials said.

Tran’s fundraising effort highlights those costs. He noted that tire removal and disposal often require specialized hauling and compliance with waste regulations. He said the cleanup process is urgent due to the scale of debris and the condition of the site.