The Rowena Fire continues to burn aggressively in the Columbia River Gorge, already consuming an estimated 3,500+ acres. Fueled by seasonably record-low fuel moistures and gusty winds, the fire poses a serious and ongoing threat to lives, property, and critical infrastructure.
The fire began yesterday in the Rowena area, quickly climbing steep terrain and pushing east toward The Dalles. Under the influence of 30 mph winds, the fire spotted and began running before initial attack crews were fully on scene. Oregon Department of Forestry, in partnership with the Oregon State Fire Marshal, provided air assets that were used quickly after initial attack was underway.
The OSFM Green Incident Management Team (IMT), the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (USFS), and Central Oregon IMT Type 3 are working under Unified Command with ODF CIMT Team 2 unifying tonight at 7 p.m.
Evacuation zones were expanded early Thursday morning to the west of the fire, reflecting the continued threat of unanticipated wind shifts.
Stay informed by visiting PerimeterMap.com/wascocounty-or, or by visiting the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page. For up-to-date information, visit the Rowena Fire 2025 Facebook page.
QUICK FACTS
Estimated Size: 3,500 acres
Containment: 0%
Evacuations:
Level 3 GO NOW – 825 structures
Level 2 GET SET – 1468 structures
Level 1 GET READY – 1547 structures
Response and Resources
Initial response efforts were led by Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue, U.S. Forest Service, and Oregon Department of Forestry, with Forest Service crews arriving almost immediately. Regional mutual aid agreements enabled a swift, coordinated response, including resources from neighboring Washington State.
Eight OSFM task forces have been deployed from Lane, Linn, Multnomah, Clackamas, Marion, Washington, Polk, and Yamhill counties.
- Five task forces arrived last night (Wednesday), immediately launching structure protection operations.
- Three additional task forces arrived this morning (Thursday) and are now being assigned.
- Air assets were used during the initial attack and will continue to be a part of operations to support suppression efforts today.
Operational Priorities
- Operations were conducted overnight around Rowena structures to create defensible space and tie into containment lines.
- Dozer line construction is ongoing to help anchor the fire’s flanks.
- Hazard trees along I-84 were removed last night to support the safe reopening of the highway.
TRAVEL SAFETY NOTICE:
I-84 is open, but drivers must reduce speed. Fire crews and heavy equipment are still working near the roadway. Hazard trees, poor visibility, and sudden wind shifts continue to create unsafe conditions. Please drive with extreme caution. For up-to-date road information, visit tripcheck.com.
Today, crews will focus on:
- Preparing and defending structures not yet impacted
- Assessing and securing affected areas
- Continuing containment operations and direct suppression
- Conducting infrared (IR) flights to map the fire perimeter more accurately
A Message to the Community
“This is only the beginning of what could be a difficult year,” said Travis Medema, chief deputy with the Oregon State Fire Marshal. “This fire is occurring under unseasonable conditions and record-low fuel moistures – combined with unstable wind patterns, all of which signal a long and potentially dangerous fire season across the state.”
The last major wildfire in this area, also named the Rowena Fire, happened in 2014, burning 3,500 acres. The current fire has already met that in size and complexity. “As always, ODF stands prepared to protect Oregonians, using all resources available to us, but we have a lot of fire season ahead of us,” said Kyle Williams, Deputy Director of Fire Operations for ODF.
Public cooperation is critical. Please follow evacuation instructions promptly and monitor trusted sources for updates.
The OSFM Green Team, ODF, U.S.F.S., and partner agencies thank the public for their continued support, patience, and vigilance as we work to protect lives, homes, and communities throughout the Gorge.
Unified Command:
Steve Bregman OSFM, Jeremy Goers USFS, Lauren Clark USFS
Stay informed:
Evacuation Info & Maps: PerimeterMap.com/wascocounty-or
Official Updates: Rowena Fire 2025 Facebook Page
Local Alerts: Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook