Police say the highway will be blocked until at least 4:00 today.
(JUNCTION CITY, Ore.) - Highway 99E was closed at about 11:30 AM according to Oregon Department of Transportation officials, when a truck hauling hay started burning.
Fire crews on scene elected to allow the truck and its contents to burn due to safety concerns. Once the fire is extinguished, a tow truck will remove the remains of the truck and trailer. The hay truck fire on Highway 99 just north of Junction City will keep both directions of the highway closed until at least 4:00 PM.
It is unclear at this time how extensive the highway is damaged from the fire.
A detour routing traffic around the scene is in place. For northbound traffic, the detour takes vehicles west on 18th Avenue to Oaklea Drive and then to Highway 99W.
Southbound traffic is being directed south on Oaklea Drive to High Pass Road and then back to the highway.
Hay Truck Fire Closes 99 North of Junction CitySalem-News.com