Smoke from I-84 brush fire contributes to crash that injures three near Biggs Junction
The Dalles, Ore., May 26, 2026 — A brush fire that temporarily closed Interstate 84 just east of Biggs Junction on Saturday afternoon also contributed to a traffic crash that injured three people and damaged two vehicles, according to the Oregon State Police.
The crash occurred at about 5:04 p.m. on May 23 near milepost 107 on eastbound Interstate 84 in Sherman County, while emergency responders were already on scene battling a vegetation fire along the freeway.
According to an Oregon State Police report, smoke from the fire had significantly reduced visibility for motorists when a silver 2014 Ford F-150 rear-ended a green 1997 Dodge pickup. Both vehicles came to rest on the right shoulder, where active fire was burning.
Three occupants of the Ford sustained burns from the fire and were transported to an area hospital for treatment. Oregon State Police reported that both vehicles were towed from the scene due to crash-related damage.
The driver of the Ford was issued a warning for driving too fast for conditions.
The occupants injured in the crash were all from Washington state. According to Oregon State Police, the driver of the Ford F-150 was identified as Brynn Ann Muonio, 27, of La Center. Two passengers in the vehicle, Joni Ruth Charlson, 23, and Clara Beverly Tapani, 24, both of Battle Ground, also sustained burns after the pickup came to rest in an area of active fire following the collision. All three were transported to an area hospital for treatment. The driver of the Dodge pickup, Lort Lorn, 71, of Aberdeen, Washington, was not reported to have been injured.
The crash occurred during a brush fire that forced the closure of Interstate 84 near milepost 105, just east of Biggs Junction. The Sherman County Sheriff's Office reported that dense smoke reduced visibility along the freeway and contributed to multiple crashes before all lanes reopened around 6 p.m. Saturday. Firefighters and Oregon Department of Transportation crews remained in the area after the roadway reopened.
Saturday's fire was one of two significant vegetation fires reported on opposite sides of the Columbia River. While firefighters battled the interstate fire in Sherman County, crews in Washington responded to the Dallesport Fire near Horsethief Park and Columbia Hills State Park, which prompted evacuation orders and drew a large multi-agency response.
Authorities have not released a cause for the Sherman County fire. The incident serves as a reminder of the hazards smoke can create for motorists during wildfire season, particularly along high-speed corridors such as Interstate 84.
