Drivers heading through the Warm Springs Reservation on U.S. Highway 26 should add extra time to their trips this month. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs are working together to remove approximately 1,000 hazardous trees from the highway corridor between Warm Springs and Mount Hood.

Expect delays of 20 minutes or more between mileposts 72 and 87 through approximately mid-June 2026.

Why the Work Is Happening

Many of the trees along this stretch of Highway 26 are dead, dying, or structurally compromised and at risk of falling onto the roadway. Hazard trees pose dual threats: a direct safety hazard to motorists, and a wildfire ignition risk during the dry season — particularly relevant as Central Oregon's 2026 fire season is already in effect as of May 8.

ODOT Warm Springs Junction Coordinator Toby Bell acknowledged the nature of the work requires some trees to come down directly onto the highway.

"We prefer they not come down on the highway. We are trying to minimize that, but there are some that lean really heavy that we have to take down onto the highway — and that's why we've been cleaning them up," Bell said.

What to Expect on the Road

Work zones are marked with portable message boards and flaggers to alert drivers. The work is scheduled Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Flaggers will stop traffic in both directions; delays during active work can be lengthy. Some large trees may fall directly onto the highway before equipment clears them.

Travelers commuting between Madras and the Portland metro area via Highway 26 — including those heading to Mount Hood, the Warm Springs Reservation, or the Columbia River Gorge — should plan accordingly and consider timing trips around work hours when possible.

A Collaborative Effort

The project is a joint effort between ODOT and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, whose reservation encompasses a large stretch of the Highway 26 corridor. Collaboration between ODOT and the tribe on road safety and maintenance along this corridor reflects an ongoing working relationship on infrastructure within tribal lands.

The work is expected to be completed by approximately June 15, 2026, weather permitting. For real-time travel information, visit TripCheck.com or call 511.