U.S. Highway 395C closed; Seneca under Level 2 evacuation

By Logan Bagett on Monday, July 15th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories

JOHN DAY – UPDATE: (From ODOT on 7/15) – U.S. 395 is closed between milepost 20, 5 miles north of Seneca, to milepost 67.5, at the junction with U.S. 20 in Burns due to a wildfire. The wind is making the fire behave erratically. Avoid the area and check TripCheck.com for the latest road status updates.

(From Grant County Emergency Management Coordinator Eric Bush)

Falls Fire updates for Grant County:

-The Izee Hwy, aka: Grant County Road 63 is being closed to all but local and emergency fire
traffic.
-Our evacuation shelter has now moved to the Grant County High School. There will still be the ability
to accommodate large animals or dry camping at the Fair Grounds for persons impacted by the
evacuations.
-Hwy 395 is now closed 5 miles north of Seneca, south to Hwy 20.

Click the link below for the detailed evacuation map:

https://harneycounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=2448c3ab75284ab09269650fdc1edd5b&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3GxxRQ-lFGJSfXi0YmF6fXDdZMJi1zCUh_JsQdG6o8WLyDNH_7w-nXrZk_aem_L499Sl7GqC_-aqcfPrkFUw

Tune in to 92.7 & 99.1 KZHC and 94.5 KJDY & News102 for crucial updates.

CURRENT EVACUATION NOTICES WITHIN HARNEY AND GRANT COUNTIES:

𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋 𝟑: 𝐆𝐎 𝐍𝐎𝐖, 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐕𝐄 𝐈𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐃𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐋𝐘 West of Hwy 395 from Poison Creek to Silvies Valley South of Jump Creek and Crooked Creek Meadows (aka Forest Road 37) East of Emigrant Creek and Forest Service 41 (in sections) Extends south toward Burns, estimated 8-10

𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋 𝟐: 𝐁𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐓 East of Highway 395 N between Highway 20 and Silvies Valley West of Highway 395 and Forest Service Boundary (Grant Co) South and East of Forest Road 63 and Big Flat (Grant Co) East of Forest Road 41 2 Miles North of Burns

𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋 𝟏: 𝐁𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐘 Areas surrounding the Level 2 Evacuation Zones; this level is a precautionary level for residents to have awareness, monitor the situation and make preparations should the fire and evacuation levels change.

The City of Burns, City of Hines, and Burns Paiute Tribe are under advisory as an abundance of caution to monitor the situation should the fire change course.

Currently, it is expected that the fire will move more in an eastern direction.