7/24/2024 1:00 p.m. update: Large commercial traffic is restricted until further notice on State Highway 71 between Cambridge and the Oregon state line due to fire activity. Using SH-71 to access Oregon is not a suitable detour for interstate trucks. SH-71, between Cambridge and the Oregon state line, is narrow and winding. To maintain traffic flow and ensure safety, non-essential commercial vehicles over 26,000 pounds are now prohibited from using this route.
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7/24/2024 12:30 p.m. update: I-84 is closed due to fire activity. The fire has reached I-84 and it is not safe for travelers. Fire officials do not want people to travel to Ontario to wait. The fire is expected to grow as winds are forecasted in the area, there’s no estimate on when it will reopen.
Consider alternative travel options and for the latest information, keep an eye on TripCheck or Idaho 511.
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7/24/2024 9:30 a.m. update: The I-84 corridor has reopened, but due to the unpredictable nature of wildfires, travelers should be prepared for potential closures and are advised not to rely on this route.
Idaho travelers are urged to use 511.idaho.gov for traffic impacts.
Oregon travelers are urged to use Tripcheck.com for up-to-date information.
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This information is from the Oregon Department of Transportation
PENDLETON – If you plan to travel across Oregon in the coming days, make sure you carefully plan your route. I-84 and many other highways in eastern Oregon may be closed or unreliable due to wildfires. With a long hot summer ahead, other fires and closures throughout the state are likely.
Wildfires are unpredictable and we have no estimate on opening times for any fire-impacted highways. Previous plans for a nighttime only closure of I-84 to remove brush along the highway were upended when the fire quickly reached the highway. Fire crews are actively fighting fire from I-84.
Travelers should use U.S. 20 to move east or west across central and eastern Oregon. If you must travel, consult Tripcheck.com and check conditions for your route. Here are some other tips while traveling in wildfire season:
- Do not follow GPS directions or detour on local or forest roads. These roads are not suitable for interstate traffic. If a highway is closed on Tripcheck.com, it is likely that nearby local roads will be closed as well.
- Expect power outages near wildfires. Treat non-working traffic lights like a four-way stop. Roadside message boards and Tripcheck cameras may also be out in these areas.
- Carry extra supplies including food and water in case your trip is delayed.
- Driving in smoke is like driving in heavy fog. Slow down but keep a steady pace and stay alert. Slow driving gives you more time to respond to unexpected conditions.
- Turn on headlights when driving in smoky areas.
- The best place to wait for a highway to open is at home. Do not travel to the closure points and wait as closures could last for days.
Fire information can be found on the National Interagency Fire Center’s website.