An apparatus and associated method for operating a portable light assembly. In accordance with some embodiments, a frame providing a bridge and defining a transport region and a deployment region is slidingly connected to a mast. An arm is further connected to the mast by a hinge while a light fixture is connected to the arm. In various embodiments, the light fixture is capable of transitioning from a deployed position where the mast engages the deployment region and a transport position where the mast and light fixture are disposed within the transport region.