More than SIXTY cars crash in heavy fog caused by massive wildfires in Washington state
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SIXTY Oregon car crash kills at least one: Drivers blame heavy fog caused by massive wildfires in frigid Washington state
- Oregon State Police have confirmed that one person has been killed in the pile-up near Halsey
- The accident happened around 8 a.m. on Interstate 5 between milestones 228 and 211
- At least 45 passenger cars and 15-20 commercial vehicles were involved
- Several people have been transported to local hospitals, circumstances unknown
- School buses helped move at least 30-40 stranded motorists
- HAZMAT Responds to Six of the Trucks Leaking Liquids on the Roadway
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At least one person has died after 60 cars were involved in a crash in Oregon after heavy fog from neighboring Washington state caused massive wildfires, reduced visibility.
The crash in Willamette Valley near Halsey, Oregon occurred around 8 a.m. Wednesday as the extremely thick fog, caused by smoke from raging wildfires that held moisture to the surface, covered Interstate 5.
Oregon State Police later confirmed that one person was killed in the pileup and at least three people were taken to Good Samaritan Hospital. An unknown number of motorists were taken to Rivierenland Hospital. Their condition is unknown.
Interstate 5 remained completely blocked with a bypass as crews worked late into the day to clear the site of at least 45 passenger vehicles and about 15-20 commercial motor vehicles.
Stranded motorists can be seen working their way through the mangled metal of crushed cars on social media. Semi-trucks carrying Hefe beer, chips and other food items had split open in the crash, with the contents spilling out.
At least one person has died after 60 cars were involved in a crash in Oregon after heavy fog from neighboring Washington state caused massive wildfires reduced visibility
At least 45 cars and 15-20 commercial motor vehicles such as trucks are depicted on Southbound Interstate 5, which is completely blocked with a bypass.
Cable barrier dropped to help divert vehicles stuck in I-5 . stalemate
The Oregon Department of Transportation has temporarily dropped the cable barrier to divert vehicles stuck in the stalemate on Interstate 5, police said.
School buses from Eugene have come to the scene to help move 30-40 stranded motorists to Pioneer Villa at exit 216.
DEQ and HAZMAT respond to about 6 of the CMVs leaking fluids onto the roadway.
The foggy conditions were exacerbated by the high humidity combined with the wildfires in Washington state. The forecast was that today would be the last day of unusual heat for western Oregon, local weather forecasters said.
Dozens of wildfires have ravaged western U.S. states in recent years as climate change exacerbates drought patterns.
This, in turn, has dried out trees and other plants to make fuel, as warm temperatures and high winds provide dangerous conditions for fires to start.
For current information about detours and when the roadway will reopen, call 511 or www.tripcheck.com
This is a story in development.
School buses from Eugene have arrived to help move stranded motorists
Dozens of wildfires have ravaged western U.S. states in recent years as climate change exacerbates drought patterns. Pictured is the stalemate on I-5 after the crash