UPDATE (1:45 p.m.) — A section of state Highway 14 remains restricted to only one lane. WSDOT now expects the roadway to be cleared by 5:30 p.m. today. Original story:
—
State Highway 14 has reopened following an overnight closure caused by multiple grass fires in the Columbia River Gorge, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
The fires and debris from them originally closed a 17-mile stretch of the highway Thursday evening. Crews opened the roadway earlier this morning, but a smaller section is still restricted to one lane near Horsethief Lake State Park.
Flaggers are directing traffic while crews clear the highway. Motorists should expect delays of about 20 minutes. The roadway is expected to be clear by about noon today, according to WSDOT.
The remaining affected area of the highway is milepost 85.5 to milepost 87, in Klickitat County.