As of October 16, 2024, the following fires are impacting visitors to the Willamette Valley and the Cascade Range:
Several lightning-caused fires are currently burning around Pyramid Creek, the Middle Santiam River, Belknap Hot Springs, and the McKenzie River region in the Cascade Range.
The newest of these is the Young Grasshopper Fire, which is currently burning 3,950 acres in the Middle Fork Ranger district—northeast of the communities of Oakridge and Westfir; see a map with closures around the Young Grasshopper Fire.
Several lightning-caused fires are currently burning about 23,445 acres of forest around the communities of Oakridge and Westfir in the Willamette National Forest; the largest of these are the Chalk Fire (which currently covers about 6,010 acres and is 100% contained) and the 208 Fire (burning about 9,800 acres) in the Middle Fork Ranger District.
The Bingham Fire is burning about 200 acres of the Willamette National Forest's Mount Jefferson Wilderness, east of Marion Forks and Highway 22. Growth is slow, and some limited closures are in place.
Travelers should expect delays throughout the West Cascades and Cascade Range. Here’s a look at what to expect as you plan your upcoming travels.
As of September 23, 2024, Highway 126 is open to two-lane traffic—and nearby Highway 242 is closed between its western terminus with Highway 126 and Dee Wright Observatory (mileposts 55 to 75).
Short stretches of Highway 126, largely between the McKenzie Bridge area in the south and the highway's intersection with Highway 20 in the north, may be intermittently closed while firefighters remove hazardous trees from along the roadway. Give yourself extra time to account for potential closures and periods of heavy smoke.
Running between Eugene and Central Oregon, Highway 58 is currently open to vehicular traffic. Drivers may experience delays or temporary closures while crews work to remove debris.
Travelers should expect delays along Highway 22 as crews continue to clean debris from 2020 wildfires and work to ensure safety of drivers and residents. Many businesses were damaged or destroyed in the fires; with limited services in the Santiam Canyon area, be sure to fill your gas tank, and pack plenty of water, food, and other supplies.
Oregon Route 224 around Estacada has reopened following the Riverside Fire, which began around Labor Day 2020. Visitors should expect temporary road closures and delays as crews remove debris, repair asphalt, and work to clean up the wildfire-scarred area.
Visit TripCheck.com for up-to-the-minute travel alerts, maps, webcams, closure information, and other advisories.
Several outdoor recreation areas remain closed in the wake of various wildfires. Here's a quick rundown of what might be impacted:
Several county parks throughout the Willamette Valley remain closed due to various wildfires; visit Marion County Parks, Linn County Parks, and Lane County Parks for the latest on county-park closures.
Vast stretches of forest burned along the McKenzie River in the Holiday Farm Fire; Travel Lane County has put together a Google Map showing recreation sites along the river (and along OR-126)—and whether they’re open or closed at this time.
Even though the region's wildfires have been contained, it's a long road to recovery for displaced residents, small-business owners, and others impacted by the natural disaster. Here are a few ways to help those in need.
(Unless otherwise noted, all wildfire photos courtesy of Oregon Department of Transportation / Flickr)
