UPDATES ON FIRE ALONG I-84, 12 MILES WEST OF ONTARIO. CLOSURE AND FIRE INFO

EASTERN OREGON –

Update as of 1:25pm on September 2, 2022

(From BLM) The 365 fire that started yesterday off of the eastbound side of Interstate 84, ten and a half miles Northwest of Ontario, has been mapped and is 1258 acres, and as of 2:00pm today is 100% contained. Engine crews will remain on scene throughout the afternoon.
Both lanes of Interstate 84 are now open. To check for updates on current travel information, you can visit: Road & Weather Conditions Map | TripCheck – Oregon Traveler Information
The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Saturday for the area for gusty winds and low relative humidity’s. We want to remind those who plan to recreate outdoors for this Labor Day weekend to remain diligent in their efforts to prevent wildfires. 
Fire restrictions are in effect for all Vale District BLM-protected lands, which includes Bureau of Reclamation lands around the Owyhee Dam. More information on fire restrictions can be found at www.blm.gov/orwafire  or by calling 541-473-3144.  

_____

Update for September 2, 2022 from BLM

Update: The 365 fire that started yesterday off of the eastbound side of Interstate 84 near mile marker 365 has been updated to 1258 acres and 70% contained.

___

The 365 fire that started yesterday off of the eastbound side of Interstate 84 near mile marker 365 is 600 acres and 70% contained. The acreage is an estimate, mapping of the fire will occur later today and will provide a more accurate acreage.
Both lanes of Interstate 84 are now open. To check for updates on current travel information, you can visit: Road & Weather Conditions Map | TripCheck – Oregon Traveler Information
Firefighters remain on scene and will continue to secure and improve the fires edge, taking advantage of the cooler temperatures this morning.
The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for Saturday for the area for gusty winds and low relative humidity’s. We want to remind those who plan to recreate outdoors for this Labor Day weekend to remain diligent in their efforts to prevent wildfires. 
Fire restrictions are in effect for all Vale District BLM-protected lands, which includes Bureau of Reclamation lands around the Owyhee Dam. More information on fire restrictions can be found at www.blm.gov/orwafire  or by calling 541-473-3144.  

____

Update as of 7:23pm from ODOT. I-84 eastbound is now open in eastern Oregon. The westbound lanes were open this afternoon. Traffic restrictions have also been removed from OR 204 and OR 245. Expect some congestion as backed up traffic gets on the freeway. Everyone has been waiting, so please be patient and kind to fellow travelers. There may be some activity or crews near the wildfire area between mileposts 364 and 367, so drive with caution. 

Update as of 7:10pm – Closures are being lifted. Please continue to use caution and expect extra traffic between Pendleton and Ontario

(From BLM) Vale Bureau of Land Management is working on suppressing the 365 fire, a range fire that started today, September 1^st around 11:45am.
The 365 fire is located to the west of Interstate 84 near Mile Marker 365, ten and a half miles northwest of Ontario, Or. This is an active incident, and at the time of this report the fire is estimated to be around 600 acres in size. The fire is burning in grass and brush, and has spread quickly due to critically dry fuels and gusty afternoon winds. Firefighters are on scene, while aerial resources such as Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) and Large Air Tankers (LATs), are using retardant to help slow the flame front from the air, in an effort to assist ground resources in their efforts to extinguish the fire. 
Management of the fire is a collaborative effort with members of the Vale Rangeland Fire Protection Association (RFPA), Oregon Department of Transportation, and the Oregon State Police. At the time of this report, the eastbound side of Interestate-84 is closed. For updated information regarding road closures, please visit: Road & Weather Conditions Map | TripCheck – Oregon Traveler Information. Damages are being assessed by firefighters, which may include power poles and guard rails, but no structures are threatened at this time. No injuries have been reported.

Update as of 5:05pm

FROM BLM- The fire is now reported at 700 acres in size. Forward progress has been stopped. The fire is 50% contained.

FROM ODOT – I-84 eastbound lanes remain closed between Exit 216 six miles east of Pendleton and Exit 374 in Ontario due to wildfire between mileposts 365 and 367. The westbound freeway is now open. OR 245 southwest of Baker City and OR 204 (Tollgate Highway) remain closed eastbound to all but local traffic, as they are not a viable detours for freeway traffic. Crews have been back burning the blaze and we hope to open the eastbound freeway in the next hour or two. 

____________

Update as of 4:00pm ORE204 Tollgate is now closed due to a wildfire, local traffic only on OR-204.

Update as of 3:44pm: The fire is making a push to the north now adding around 100 to 150 acres. More details will be released as they become available.

Update from BLM as of 3:30pm The fire is around 200 acres in size,

(From ODOT) I-84 eastbound lanes are now closed between Exit 216 six miles east of Pendleton and Exit 374 in Ontario due to wildfire between mileposts 365 and 367. The westbound freeway is also closed to all traffic between Ontario and Baker City. The eastbound closure was moved from Baker City to Pendleton due to limited truck parking space in Baker City and La Grande, creating unsafe conditions for those communities. OR 245 southwest of Baker City is also closed to all but local traffic, as it is not a viable detour for freeway traffic. Crews are battling the blaze, but high winds are creating challenges for the firefighting effort. The 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 could lead you onto remote, unserviced roads not suitable for your vehicle. Stay in a community with services or on main highways.

Update as of 2:00pm The I-84 westbound closure has been extended. Eastbound travel is now closed from Pendleton to Ontario.

Update as of 140pm: According to officials, the fire is 150+ acres in size pushing South/Southwest. There are engines on scene as well as multiple air tankers over the fire.

Update: The closure has been extended. I-84 is closed eastbound due to wildfire between La Grande and Ontario

Previous:I-84 EASTBOUND from Baker City to Ontario is closed due to wildfire. The fire is reported at 12 miles west of Ontario. OR-245 is closed at the OR-245/OR-7 JCT. Local traffic only on OR-245.

---