Fires Erupt Along Columbia Gorge, I-84 Briefly Closed as Oregon's 2026 Season Ignites

The Pacific Northwest's 2026 wildfire season arrived with an uncomfortable jolt late last week when multiple fires erupted along the Columbia Gorge corridor, temporarily shutting down Interstate 84 and prompting evacuation notices on both sides of the river.

I-84 Closed Near Biggs Junction

A fire broke out Saturday afternoon in Sherman County near milepost 105, east of Biggs Junction, Oregon. Fast-moving flames and dense smoke rapidly reduced visibility along one of the Northwest's busiest freight and travel corridors, forcing authorities to temporarily close all lanes of Interstate 84 in the area. Multiple vehicle crashes were reported during the closure as smoke conditions deteriorated quickly across the Columbia Gorge landscape.

By Saturday evening, traffic had reopened, but the incident left a lasting impression on residents and emergency managers alike. Dry vegetation, gusty winds, and above-normal temperatures in late May had already created conditions favorable for rapid fire growth well ahead of the traditional summer peak.

Country Meadows Fire Burns in Washington

Nearly simultaneously, firefighters across the river in Washington state battled a separate blaze in Benton County. The Country Meadows Fire scorched an estimated 250 acres north of the Columbia River corridor, burning out of control through dry grasslands during the afternoon hours. Crews worked into the evening to establish containment lines as wind-driven flame spread challenged initial attack efforts.

Evacuation Notices Issued at Columbia Hills State Park

Additional brush fires broke out near Dallesport and Columbia Hills State Park on the Washington side of the Gorge. Evacuation notices were issued for portions of Horsethief Park as flames pushed by shifting winds threatened the area. Emergency responders urged the public — including drone operators — to stay clear of active firefighting zones to allow aerial and ground resources to work effectively.

Southern Oregon Also Seeing Early Activity

The Gorge incidents were not isolated. In Southern Oregon, the Blackwell Road Fire near Central Point in Jackson County burned approximately 30 acres before being contained, with evacuation orders later lifted. The fire broke out as much of the Rogue Valley was under a High Wind Warning issued by the National Weather Service in Medford. Portions of Jackson and Josephine counties have already begun implementing seasonal burn restrictions aimed at reducing human-caused ignitions before full summer conditions set in.

A Season Beginning Too Soon

For fire managers across the region, what stands out most about these early incidents isn't their size — it's their timing. State and federal wildfire officials have been warning for weeks that 2026 could develop into one of the most challenging fire seasons the Northwest has seen in years, driven by a warmer, drier winter that left grasses, brush, and forest fuels unusually receptive to ignition this early in the calendar year.

Fires igniting along transportation corridors have become an increasing danger throughout Oregon and Washington, capable of spreading rapidly through roadside grasses while simultaneously creating life-threatening driving conditions for the public. Residents throughout the Columbia Basin are urged to review their evacuation plans and monitor local emergency alerts as fire activity is expected to intensify through June and July.