Cornelius Fire Department brush 816 drives through downtown Gales Creek, sirens blaring, as it heads toward the brush fire west of Glenwood. Photo: Chas Hundley
UPDATE: Forest Grove Fire & Rescue says that Highway 6 could be closed for 3 to 4 hours, though crews hope to have it open in just one to two hours, as of about 12:45 p.m.
FGF&R spokesperson Matt Johnston says that ODOT has opened one lane of traffic with a flagger.
According to the agency, both the fire in the motor home and the brush fire are out, with fire crews working on hot spots.
Highway 6 is a snarled mess of traffic, with vehicles turning around and jumping into the other lane.
ODOT spokesperson Lou Torres says that the closure is located at mile post 38, near the Timber Road junction; on foot, Journal reporter Chas Hundley noted that traffic was backed up at mile post 40, which then grew — and grew — and as of press time, was backed up past the Highway 6 and 8 junction.
According to FGF&R, a detour is being set up by ODOT, though it’s unclear where exactly that will be. At this time, those headed to or from the coast should use Highway 26.
Recreational vehicles, trucks pulling off-road vehicles bound for Brown’s Camp and sandrails for Sand Lake all were attempting to reverse course, meaning both lanes on the east side of the road closure were stop-and-go as vehicles paused to allow fellow motorists space to turn around.
GLENWOOD – A motor home and a forested area are in flames west of Timber Road as crews from Forest Grove Fire & Rescue, the Oregon Department of Forestry, and Banks Fire District 13 battle the fire, which is near the Gales Creek Camp, a summer camp for children with type 1 diabetes.
Highway 6 is closed while crews operate on and near the highway, according to Banks Fire District and the Oregon Department of Transportation.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Chas Hundley is the editor of the Banks Post and sister news publications the Gales Creek Journal and the Salmonberry Magazine. He grew up in Gales Creek and has a cat.
