Due to a one acre fire on the cliffs west of Oneonta Gorge, the Historic Columbia River Highway and surrounding trails are closed to the public until further notice.
The fire started between Oneonta Trail and the cliff west of Oneonta Gorge late Tuesday July 11, and is currently estimated at one acre.
As of July 12, the fire is not contained but Forest Service firefighters are using helicopters bucket drops and a hose lay to suppress it.
To protect public safety, Oregon Department of Transportation has closed the Historic Columbia River Highway between Multnomah Falls and Ainsworth State Park. The Forest Service is closing hiking trails surrounding the fire, including Oneonta Trail #424, Horsetail Falls #438, and Gorge #400, making Horsetail Falls and Triple Falls inaccessible to visitors until further notice. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect over this same area from ground surface to 2300 feet above ground level. Please refrain from flying drones, in this vicinity. Remember, if you fly we can’t.
Visitors are asked not to enter the closed area to protect their own safety, as well as that of the firefighters and pilots.
Oneonta Gorge is a slot canyon located just south of the Historic Columbia River Highway along the popular “waterfall corridor” which includes Multnomah Falls and other popular waterfalls and hiking trails. Multnomah Falls remains open.
Source: U.S. Forest Service