Oil train derails in Mosier Columbia River Gorge

A train carrying crude oil derailed near Mosier, Oregon Friday afternoon. Mosier schools have been evacuated. A large black plume of smoke is filling the sky, and there are visible flames.

The train was carrying crude oil on the Union Pacific rail line through the town of Mosier. The placards on the train say 1267 - signifying that the trains were carrying crude oil.

Interstate 84 is closed westbound at The Dalles. Eastbound I-84 is closed at Mosier.

Brett VandenHeuvel, Executive Director of Columbia Riverkeeper, observed the fire. "This a terrible situation. There is a large oil train fire in Mosier, in the Columbia River Gorge. We urge everyone to avoid the area to respect the work of the first responders," he said.

This story was originally published June 3, 2016 at 1:48 PM with the headline "Oil train derails in Mosier Columbia River Gorge."