Wildfire closes both directions of I-84 in eastern Oregon

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has closed a stretch of I-84 due to wildfires.

According to ODOT, the eastbound lanes of I-84 are now closed between Exit 216, 6 miles east of Pendleton and Exit 374 in Ontario due to a wildfire burning between mile markers 365 and 367.

Westbound I-84 is closed to all traffic between Ontario and Baker City.

ODOT said that the previous eastbound I-84 closure was moved from Baker City to Pendleton due to limited truck parking space in Baker City and LaGrande, creating unsafe conditions for those communities.

OR 245 SW of Baker City is also closed to all but local traffic – “It’s not a viable detour for freeway traffic,” ODOT said.

While crews are working to battle the wildfires, ODOT says that high winds are creating challenging conditions.

From ODOT:

“These closures could remain in place for several hours. There are no viable local detours around the closure. Please DO NOT blindly follow GPS navigation apps/devices as they can lead you onto remote, unserviced roads that aren’t suitable for your vehicle. Stay in a community with services or on main highways. Keep using http://TripCheck.com or call 511 for updates.”

You can also follow ODOT on Twitter for up-to-date travel information.

UPDATE: I-84 EB and WB freeways closed in #EasternOR due to wildfire. EB lanes are now closed between Exit 216, 6 mi. east of #Pendleton and Exit 374 in #OntarioOR due to wildfire between MP 365-367. WB freeway is closed to all traffic between Ontario and #BakerCity. pic.twitter.com/PRJRcWKaJL

— OregonDOT (@OregonDOT) September 1, 2022