Blown tire bursts into flames on east I-84

This pickup caught fire while pulling a utility trailer eastbound on Interstate 84 about 8 miles east of Rufus on Friday, Nov. 7. Photo courtesy Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office

The Dalles, Ore., Nov. 10, 2025 — A tire blowout sparked a vehicle fire that destroyed a pickup on Interstate 84 in Gilliam County on Friday, Nov. 7 shortly after 1 p.m., according to the Oregon State Police.

The incident happened eastbound near milepost 116, where a white 1997 Ford F-350 pulling a black Interstate utility trailer caught fire after the blown tire ignited. The flames quickly spread, fully engulfing the truck. The driver, identified as 39-year-old Tyler James Bieker of Beavercreek, was able to escape before the vehicle burned.

The front cap of the trailer sustained damage, but the trailer itself did not catch fire, according to OSP. Bieker contacted Simcoe Towing, which responded and removed the truck and trailer from the scene.

The Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office and North Gilliam Fire assisted OSP. No injuries were reported.