Fiery Commute Chaos: Car Blaze Shuts Down Westbound I-84 in Portland

Commuters heading westbound on I-84 in Portland faced an unexpected and fiery obstacle today as a vehicle erupted in intense flames, bringing traffic to a grinding halt near NE 148th Avenue. The dramatic car fire forced the complete closure of all westbound lanes, transforming the busy interstate into a scene of stalled vehicles, emergency lights, and billowing smoke.

The incident, which occurred during a crucial travel period, quickly drew a substantial response from local fire departments and Oregon State Police.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing thick plumes of black smoke emanating from the burning vehicle, visible from a considerable distance and signaling the severity of the situation. First responders rapidly converged on the scene, prioritizing public safety and working with urgency to contain the blaze and manage the growing traffic queues.

For hours, this major artery connecting east Portland to downtown was effectively severed.

Traffic was immediately diverted onto alternate routes, leading to significant congestion on surrounding surface streets and creating frustrating and extensive delays for thousands of drivers. Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) officials were quick to issue advisories, urging motorists to seek alternative paths, adjust their travel plans, and allow for considerable extra travel time to reach their destinations.

Fire crews bravely battled the intense inferno, eventually bringing it under control and extinguishing the flames.

While the immediate danger was averted, the aftermath required extensive clean-up operations and a thorough inspection of the roadway to ensure structural integrity and remove all hazardous debris. The charred remains of the vehicle served as a stark reminder of the suddenness and potential severity of such incidents.

As the clean-up efforts progressed, authorities worked diligently and methodically to reopen lanes sequentially, aiming to restore normal traffic flow as swiftly as possible.

Eventually, after a prolonged and challenging closure, all westbound lanes of I-84 were safely reopened to traffic. However, residual delays persisted for some time as the immense backlog of vehicles slowly cleared. This incident powerfully underscores the critical role of rapid emergency response and the significant, cascading effects even a single vehicle incident can have on major urban transportation networks and daily commutes.