Interstate 84 open in Gilliam County after three wind-driven wildfires merge, prompt 22-mile closure
(Update: Gilliam County early Sunday update)
ARLINGTON, Ore. (KTVZ) – Three wildfires that merged in strong winds on Saturday night burned along seven miles of Interstate 84 near Arlington, forcing closure for a time of a 22-mile stretch of the freeway in both directions. Crews from numerous agencies, including Central Oregon resources, tackled the blaze.
The original closure was between mileposts 129 and 140, but ODOT said late Saturday that was changed to mileposts 137 to 159.
The Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office said in their first post on Facebook the freeway was closed due to “multiple active wildfires in the area causing poor visibility on the interstate and surrounding roadways."
It said fires were confirmed on I-84, on Rhea Lane and on Highway 74. Non-firefighting traffic was urged to avoid the area. Several motorists trapped by the closure posted to the Facebook thread, seeking help and guidance.
"Our priority is keeping everyone safe and out of harms way," the sheriff's office replied. "We are currently working with multiple agencies on getting vehicles out of the closures."
Here's Sunday's early-morning update on the fire:
Interstate 84 / Highway 74 Fire Update (Vegetation Fire 672)
08/18/2024 @ 2: 59 AM
Good morning,
This fire started near milepost 141 on Interstate 84 and rapidly grew in size due to the increased winds on the evening of 08/17/2024. The fire quickly grew in size and burned approximately 7 miles along the Interstate. When we mean burned on the Interstate, we mean fire everywhere you looked from the northern roadway shoulders, the median, and the shoulder roadway shoulders. The size of this fire was mapped at approximately 6,000 acres per Watch Duty.
At one time, this incident had three fires which eventually merged. The fire crossed the southern bluffs near milepost 142 and began burning towards multiple residences along Highway 74.
A level 3 evacuation (GO NOW) was pushed out to the affected residences along Highway 74, while additional deputies were being called in to assist with evacuations and possible road closures.
A decision was made to shut down all traffic with assistance from the Oregon State Police, and the Oregon Department of Transportation from milepost 129 to milepost 150 in both directions.
At the time of this update, fire is still active along the North side of the Interstate between milepost 142 - milepost 145, and near Exit 147 where a stack of railroad ties are on fire.
Fire resources from the following agencies responded to this incident:
Local farmers and landowners who were fighting fire and assisting with evacuations
North Gilliam Rural Fire Protection District
South Gilliam County Rural Fire Protection District
Multiple Morrow County Fire agencies to include Ione, and Lexington.
Oregon Department of Transportation
Oregon State Police The Dalles
Oregon State Police Pendleton
All Interstate traffic was re-opened and escorted through the fire incident by Oregon Department of Transportation approximately 2 hours after the closures were implemented. We apologize if we forgot any of our additional agencies who assisted on this fire.
For the members of the public stuck in this incident, we greatly appreciate your patience and your willingness to help one another during the closures.
Follow traffic updates on our KTVZ.COM TripCheck page.
Less than a day earlier, a brush fire in the median of I-84 near milepost 140 affected travel in both directions three miles east of Arlington.
