The Dalles, OR. — A fast-moving wildfire broke out Wednesday afternoon near The Dalles, Oregon, prompting Governor Tina Kotek to invoke the Emergency Conflagration Act as homes were evacuated, highways shut down, and firefighting resources surged into the Columbia River Gorge.
Dubbed the Rowena Fire, the blaze began around 1:24 p.m. on June 11 near Interstate 84 at milepost 78 and quickly grew to over 2,500 acres due to dry conditions and high winds. Fire officials warned the flames were advancing through rugged terrain with limited access, increasing the difficulty of containment efforts (KATU News).
Evacuations and Emergency Response
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office issued Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation orders for residents near Rowena Ferry Road and River Road. Approximately 700 homes were under mandatory evacuation, with an additional 1,300 homes placed under Level 2 “Be Set” notices at the northern edge of The Dalles (Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook).
Governor Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act Wednesday afternoon, allowing state resources to assist local crews. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Green Incident Management Team is now coordinating efforts with local fire districts. Six to eight structural task forces from across the state have been deployed to help protect homes and infrastructure (KATU News).
Road Closures and Shelter Support
The fire forced the closure of a major stretch of Interstate 84 between Hood River and The Dalles, severely impacting east-west traffic through the Gorge. Across the Columbia River, State Route 14 in Washington was also shut down due to a separate brush fire and smoke impairing visibility (KATU News).
Evacuation shelters have been established at The Dalles Middle School for displaced residents. The Wasco County Fairgrounds in Tygh Valley is accepting animals, including horses and livestock (Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook).
Fire Conditions and Outlook
Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple called the Rowena Fire an “early-season conflagration,” warning residents to be prepared and “take that extra minute to mindful of the conditions and remember it takes a single spark to ignite a disaster.” Aircraft are being used to support ground crews with water and retardant drops.
State officials are urging residents to monitor local alerts and remain ready to evacuate if conditions worsen. With fire season officially declared statewide as of June 1, the Rowena Fire marks one of the first major incidents of 2025—and a troubling indicator of what’s to come.
For the latest evacuation updates, residents should follow the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook. Travelers are advised to check TripCheck for current road conditions.
About the Author
