Wildfires in the region will make Labor Day weekend travel between the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon difficult for drivers, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.

Long delays should be expected because firefighting agencies are cutting burning trees, dropping water from helicopters and moving equipment, especially along U.S. Highway 20.

Road closures and delays caused by fires continue in areas around state Highway 22 and U.S. Highway 20, from Detroit Lake through Santiam Pass and to Sisters.

There has been so much impact from firefighting on the busy U.S. Highway 20 route over Santiam Pass, that state transportation officials are using a pilot car to direct two-way traffic for 1.5 miles along the highway. Motorists should expect the pilot car between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Both lanes could be open overnight, but a pilot car could be used at any point, transportation officials said.

Air quality throughout Central Oregon is expected to reach unhealthy levels this weekend, according to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, which issued an alert late Friday morning.

The National Weather Service, which posted an air quality alert through noon Tuesday, said conditions could be “unhealthy or worse” and advised the public to limit outdoor activities and keep children indoors if it is smoky.

There was increased smoke Friday in Sisters and Black Butte Ranch from 20 to 30 acres of interior burning on the Milli Fire, but the fire still sits at 44 percent containment, according to fire management officials.

“People are seeing a lot more smoke but it’s not a threat to containment lines,” said Susie Heisey, public information officer for Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center.

The Milli Fire has burned 22,718 acres and remains at 44 percent containment. Evacuations remain in place in areas south and west of Sisters for residents to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice, Heisey said.

The McKay Fire east of La Pine remains at 50 percent containment as reported Thursday afternoon as crews continue mopping up hot spots within the containment lines.

“Things are looking pretty good for both McKay and Milli,” Heisey said.

The rugged terrain surrounding the Nash fire has prevented crews from gaining ground as it has burned 2,448 acres in the Willamette Area of south Sisters and is not contained.

People living near Elk Lake and Lava Lake are still being told to be ready to evacuate.

— Bulletin staff report