U.S. Highway 395 remained closed to traffic Thursday between Canyon City and the Paulina-Izee Highway at milepost 17, except for fire and emergency crews.

Between the Canyon City road closure and milepost 10 (Jay Bar L Ranch and Vance Creek Road), the Oregon Department of Transportation will escort traffic with pilot cars for public utility workers and residents needing to access their property in this area.

Residents will need to show picture ID with proof of Canyon Creek address and are advised to only drive on the highway when behind a pilot car.

If residents have to stop to visit their property, they need to follow these steps:

• Don’t park, stand or walk on the highway.

• Wait for a pilot car to return before getting back on the highway.

• Do not drive on the highway unless you are directly behind pilot car controlled traffic.

Pilot cars are used to escort traffic safely through the work zone where crews may be falling trees or removing debris from the roadway with heavy equipment. It is not safe to be on the road unless you are behind a pilot car.

Errant vehicles entering the highway without pilot car escort put themselves and workers at serious risk from falling trees and heavy equipment movement. This also impedes the emergency operation due to delays from work stoppage, thus creating extended closure times.

Conditions may change at any time and travelers are advised to regularly check TripCheck.com for the status of state highways.For current Oregon fire updates, check the Inciweb site at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/state/38