A vegetation fire has shut down a key stretch of State Route 98 in the Imperial Valley, closing the highway in both directions between Ferrell Road and Dogwood Road and cutting off that segment to traffic. Caltrans District 11 issued the closure advisory yesterday and urged drivers to steer clear of the area rather than gamble on getting through.
According to Caltrans District 11, eastbound and westbound SR-98 between Ferrell Rd and Dogwood Rd are closed because of the vegetation fire. The agency did not provide an estimated time for reopening in its post.
EB and WB SR-98, between Ferrell Rd and Dogwood Rd, is closed due to a vegetation fire. #ImperialValley
— Caltrans District 11 (@SDCaltrans) February 21, 2026
Where the closure is and what it affects
SR-98 runs east-west across the Imperial Valley, roughly paralleling Interstate 8 and serving communities such as Calexico and El Centro. The closed stretch between Ferrell Road and Dogwood Road sits on a rural, farm-to-market segment with limited shoulders and services, which can turn even a short shutdown into a headache for commuters and agricultural traffic. AARoads details the route and the local intersections involved along this corridor.
How to get updates and what drivers should do
Drivers should plan for delays, avoid the area if possible, and check official traffic channels for the latest word on reopening and any detours. Caltrans QuickMap offers real-time closure information and camera views for state highways so motorists can see conditions before committing to a route. If you run into a roadblock, follow instructions from law enforcement or incident personnel on scene.
Vegetation fires regularly trigger short-term highway closures in Southern California’s desert corridors, and local fire agencies are frequently called in to protect both drivers and nearby farmland. Imperial Valley Insight has previously reported on the region’s role in wildfire response. This story will be updated if agencies release new information about containment efforts or when SR-98 is expected to reopen.
