Caution Urged While Driving on Or 58 Near The Deception Complex Fires

OAKRIDGE—The Oregon Department of Transportation is urging motorists to reduce speeds and travel with extreme caution while traveling on OR 58 (Willamette Hwy.) near Oakridge, where the Deception Complex fires are burning in the higher elevations south of the highway.

The highway corridor is experiencing an increase in fire related vehicles and equipment. Additionally, as evening and nighttime temperatures drop, the cooler air is bringing smoke to the highway level, reducing visibility.

There are three locations, near mileposts 24.7 and 29, west of Oakridge, and milepost 37, east of Oakridge where fire personnel enter and exit the highway. Motorists should be alert for turning vehicles and slower moving machinery.

There is one location, near milepost 31, where nighttime smoke appears to be most dense. That location is at the base of a steep ridge.

Nighttime travel through Westfir and Oakridge could also be obscured by smoke during nighttime air inversions. Winds tend to scour that smoke after daybreak, but motorists should anticipate smoky driving conditions from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

While visibility may be obscured, there is no current threat of a highway closure due to smoke or fire. Motorists are also encouraged to be alert for four electronic reader boards positioned to the west and east of Oakridge with information regarding fire related traffic and highway conditions. 

Know Before you Go
For the latest road conditions, visit http://www.tripcheck.co

For updated information on highway work and current travel information throughout Oregon, visit www.tripcheck.com or call the toll-free Oregon road report at 511 or (800) 977-6368.
Visit the ODOT News Media Center at www.oregon.gov/ODOT/COMM/

^MARH