Interstate 84 partly reopened between Baker City and Ontario in eastern Oregon on July 27 after a full closure due to the Fox Fire, though only one westbound lane was initially available as wildfires continued burning across the state.
The Oregon Department of Transportation announced the reopening around 2 p.m. on Monday after shutting down approximately 70 miles of the interstate just before 7 a.m. that morning. However, ODOT warned that because the wildfire threat remained active, conditions could change quickly and another closure was possible.
The Fox Fire was burning near the Oregon-Idaho state line about 12 miles northeast of the small town of Huntington, which was under a Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation order, meaning its roughly 500 residents were told to leave immediately. As of July 31, the fire had scorched 75,841 acres and was 58% contained, according to the Southwest Area Incident Management Team.
The closure affected one of the West’s most critical transportation corridors. Interstate 84 runs from Portland through the Columbia River Gorge and into eastern Oregon before crossing the Snake River eastward through Boise, making it essential for cross-country travel and commerce. The state transportation department warned people to avoid the area entirely, noting that no local detours were available due to other roads also being closed by fire.
The Fox Fire started just before 8 p.m. on July 23, and the cause has not yet been determined. Firefighters faced challenging conditions as the blaze was fueled by hot, dry and breezy weather. A total of 394 personnel were fighting the fire as of July 31, with crews working to strengthen containment lines in multiple locations—south of Fox Creek, around Huntington, and north along Interstate 84 to Sisley Creek Road.
The Fox Fire is part of a devastating 2026 wildfire season in Oregon. As of late July, the state had burned more than 1.7 million acres, putting it on track to surpass the 2024 record of 1.93 million acres burned. The rapid escalation occurred in just the first weeks of peak fire season, highlighting the severity of drought and heat conditions across the region.
Beyond Interstate 84, other major highways across central and eastern Oregon remained closed due to the widespread fire activity. U.S. Highway 20 was closed between Burns and Ontario, U.S. Highway 26 east of Prineville, Oregon Highway 245 south of Baker City, and U.S. Highway 30 south of The Dalles. Travelers were directed to check TripCheck.com for the latest closure updates.
Sources
- KATU — I-84 reopening announcement and Fox Fire details; Level 3 evacuation order for Huntington; fire acreage and containment status
- Central Oregon Daily — Partial reopening with one westbound lane open; Fox Fire acreage updates; other highway closures across Oregon
- Baker City Herald — Fox Fire containment progress to 58% as of July 31; acreage at 75,841 acres; firefighting personnel and crew operations
- KGW — Oregon 2026 wildfire season acreage (1.7+ million acres) compared to 2024 record
- ABC News / Associated Press — Fox Fire closure of 70 miles of I-84; evacuation details
