Plan ahead: Wildfires continue to disrupt travel in many parts of Oregon

Oregon Department of Transportation sent this bulletin at 07/26/2024 11:35 AM PDT

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Plan ahead: Wildfires continue to disrupt travel in many parts of Oregon

Wildfire burns along Interstate 84 in eastern Oregon.

The Durkee Fire burning along I-84 in eastern Oregon on Wednesday.

Friday, July 26, 2024

For more information contact:

Portland - Ryan McCrary 503-983-5506 or Don Hamilton 503-704-7452

Willamette Valley, north and central coast - Mindy McCartt 503-507-6045

Southern Oregon and coast- Julie Denney 503-949-2366

Central Oregon - Kacey Davey, 541-280-2716

Eastern Oregon - Vicki Moles 541-620-4527

PORTLAND – After a week of wildfire-related road closures, travelers across Oregon should continue to carefully plan their routes. Fires are still actively burning near many highways, causing them to close and reopen with little notice. With a long, hot summer ahead, wildfire-related disruptions are likely to continue throughout the state making some routes unreliable.

For those who must travel, try to plan a route that is far away from wildfires. Visit TripCheck.com for the latest road conditions before you start your journey. TripCheck provides live updates from our dispatch centers 24 hours a day. It is updated immediately as road conditions change.

Here are some essential tips for traveling during wildfire season:

  • Use Designated Detours: Follow official detour signs and routes provided by transportation authorities. Do not follow GPS directions onto local or forest roads. These roads are often unsuitable for interstate traffic. If a highway is closed, nearby local roads are likely closed as well.
  • Prepare for Power Outages: In areas affected by wildfires, power outages are common. Treat non-working traffic lights as four-way stops and be aware that roadside message boards and TripCheck cameras may be out of service.
  • Carry an emergency kit: Oregon Emergency Management suggests you pack these supplies in your car before hitting the road.
  • Drive Safely in Smoke: Driving in smoky conditions is like driving in heavy fog. Reduce your speed, maintain a steady pace, and stay alert. Use your headlights to improve visibility.
  • Stay Home if Possible: The safest place to wait for a road to reopen is at home. Do not travel to closure points to wait because closures could last for hours or days.

For pictures and videos of wildfires burning near state highways visit our Flickr album.

For more information on current fires, visit the National Interagency Fire Center's website.