Portland Wednesday traffic: Wildfires close roads throughout western Oregon

Oregon wildfires

Smoke from a wildfire near Estacada in the early evening of Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Large wildfires and small brush fires have closed many highways and streets throughout western Oregon during what Gov. Kate Brown called an “unprecedented" event.

Interstate 5 was closed south of Medford earlier Tuesday then reopened in the late evening, although exits 24/Phoenix and 21/Talent remain closed. The Oregon Department of Transportation urges caution in the area amid ongoing firefighting activity.

Oregon 99 remains closed between south Medford (Garfield Street) and south Valley View Road in Ashland.

In the Portland area, some roads are closed, and some are blocked by downed trees or power lines.

Portland-area closures:

  • Southeast Tualatin Valley Highway between Brookwood and 24th avenues. Update 10:45 a.m.: All lanes now open.
  • Southwest Patton Valley Road at Dundee Road
  • Southwest Etters Road from Maple Valley Lane to Old Hwy 47
  • Northwest Helvetia Road from West Union to Philips Road
  • All lanes of OR 211 between Hayden Road and OR 213. OR-211 in Estacada to Ripplebrook Road
  • OR 213 at its intersection with OR 211.
  • OR 213 between the community of Carus and Spangler Road
  • OR 224 east of Estacada from Falls Creek Road to milepost 50

Major closures statewide:

  • OR 22 in both directions from east of Salem to the Santiam Pass.
  • U.S. 20 from Sweet Home to Tombstone Pass. Update 10:30 a.m.: U.S. 20 Santiam Highway is open between Sweet Home and Santiam Junction, mileposts 33-72. There are numerous lane closures along the route as crews continue powerline work and wildfire response. Use extreme caution.
  • OR 126 from its intersection with U.S. 20 to just east of Springfield
  • OR 242 from Sisters to its intersection with OR 126
  • OR 138E between Glide and West Diamond Lake
  • U.S. 97 15 miles south of its intersection with East Diamond Lake Highway to south of Modoc Point. Update 11 a.m.: U.S. 97 between milepost 242-241 is open to escorted traffic, 29 miles south of the intersection with OR 138 East Diamond Lake Highway. ODOT is piloting traffic through the fire area. Expect delays, travel with extreme caution, and be prepared for conditions to change.
  • OR 18 from the coast to Otis, mileposts 1-7
  • U.S. 199 (Redwood Highway) from mileposts 34-41
  • U.S. 199 south of Cave Junction near the Illinois Valley Airport to the California border
  • Oregon 62 (Crater Lake Highway) is closed from 13.6-22.4, from Oregon 234 (Sams Valley Highway) north through Shady Cove to intersection of Tiller-Trail Highway. The road is closed to help facilitate evacuations
  • U.S. 101 is closed to through traffic from OR 229/Siletz Highway through Lincoln City to the intersection with OR 18, milepost 120-104. The road is being used for evacuation.

Check back throughout the morning for the latest commuting updates and follow us on Twitter: @trafficportland

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