Level 3, Level 2 and Level 1 evacuation orders are in place on Thursday due to the Rowena Fire. Interstate 84 is back open, but Highway 30 remains closed.
THE DALLES, Ore. — Thousands of people are under evacuation orders as the Rowena Fire continues to burn near The Dalles.
The fire has destroyed at least 20 homes since it broke out amid 30 mph winds just before 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Fire officials said it began in the Rowena area before quickly climbing steep terrain and pushing east toward The Dalles, fueled by those strong winds and dry vegetation.
As of Thursday evening, the fire is still 0% contained and is holding at an estimated 3,500 acres burned, showing little growth despite windy conditions and warm weather that challenged firefighters throughout the day. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
The Oregon Department of Forestry Complex Incident Management Team 2 briefed at 2 p.m. Thursday with the Oregon State Fire Marshal Green Team, which arrived Wednesday evening. ODF Team 2, under delegation by ODF and the U.S. Forest Service Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, created a unified command across the incident as of 7 p.m. Thursday.
Under unified command Thursday night, the fire team focused on structure protection around Rowena on the southwest side of the fire and scouted areas to establish direct fire lines to create containment around the perimeter. Firefighters also patrolled Seven Mile Road between the south side of the fire and homes further down.
As the team integrates and continues to assess incident needs, additional resources were ordered Thursday evening for Friday's day shift, including more aircraft, firefighters and crews, as well as medics and ambulances. Safety of surrounding communities and firefighters remains a top priority as decisions are being made.
More accurate estimates of the structures damaged or lost will take time, the Wasco County Sheriff's Office said Thursday. The homes that burned were along the north and east edge of the fire, and WCSO said there was minor damage to the Columbia Gorge Observatory Center. The fire burned around the corner into The Dalles, causing structural losses in multiple areas, according to Roland Rose of the U.S. Forest Service.
RELATED: Resident recalls fighting Rowena Fire, only to lose everything: 'Fire all around us'
Interstate 84 remains open after reopening early Thursday morning following a 10-hour closure of the stretch between The Dalles and Hood River. However, firefighters continue to work on hazard trees near the roadway, and drivers should be aware of crews when driving through the area. Fire officials ask drivers to reduce their speed, as sudden wind shifts could create unsafe conditions like poor visibility. Meanwhile, Highway 30 remains closed in both directions one mile west of The Dalles between mileposts 70.94 and 62.
Evacuations remain in effect under the Wasco County Sheriff's Office's direction. Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations have been put in place by the Wasco County Sheriff's Office.
Eight Oregon State Fire Marshal task forces have been deployed from Multnomah, Clackamas, Washington, Lane, Linn, Polk and Yamhill counties. Five task forces arrived Wednesday night and three additional task forces arrived Thursday morning.
About 180 people were estimated to be fighting the fire Thursday morning, but that was expected to jump to about 300 crews.
As of Thursday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized funds to help with costs fighting the Rowena Fire.
"This is only the beginning of what could be a difficult year," said Chief Deputy Travis Medema with the Oregon State Fire Marshal in a news release. "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."
Wasco County Sheriff Lane Magill added that there might be rockslide dangers.
The Oregon Department of Forestry and state fire marshal's office are investigating the cause of the fire. While it remains unconfirmed, it is believed to have been the result of human activity.
Overall, Medema warned, "We are setting up for another difficult, very challenging wildfire season."
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Evacuation zones were expanded Thursday morning to west of the fire due to the threat of potential wind shifts, fire officials said. The Wasco County Sheriff's Office had issued the following evacuation notices as of Thursday morning:
About 825 structures are under the Level 3 evacuation notice, while 1,468 are under Level 2 and 1,547 are under Level 3 — impacting an estimated 3,000 people.
Those who are concerned that their property has been affected by the Rowena Fire can submit their information via Google Form here, the Wasco Sheriff's Office said.
Find the latest evacuation areas on Perimeter Map
Shelters
PHOTOS: Wildfires burning near The Dalles, Interstate 84
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Oregon Department of Transportation
Smoke billows over I-84 as a helicopter helps fight the fire on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
Two smaller fires broke out Wednesday afternoon in Skamania County on the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge. The Sand Hill/Carson Hot Spring Fires near Carson had burned about 35 acres and is 90% contained as of Thursday evening, as well as 20% controlled. Skamania County expects it to be fully contained Thursday night.
Further east, the Grant Lake Fire burned 10 acres and is 60% controlled, meaning it's fully lined, and the fire has burned out, Skamania County Emergency Management said. It is 100% contained as of Thursday evening.
Both ways of SR-14 are closed from milepost 49 at Sand Hill/Hot Springs Avenue to the Wind River roundabout, around milepost 47.5. There's also a one-lane eastbound closure around milepost 50.5 to 51 near Berger Road until 6 p.m.
The Dog Mountain Trail System near Carson, including Augspurger Trail and the Dog Mountain parking area, is closed until further notice due to the Grant Lake Fire, according to the U.S. Forest Service.
Evacuation orders
All evacuations have been lifted for the Grant Lake and Sand Hill fires.
Find the latest evacuation areas on this interactive map
Shelters
The Skamania County Fairgrounds is open for evacuees and livestock.
Level 1 Notice - Be Ready: Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area and monitor local media outlets for information. Residents with special needs should take note and begin making arrangements to evacuate. Evacuations at this time are voluntary.
Level 2 Notice - Be Set: This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready at a moment's notice. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate.
Level 3 Notice - Go Now: Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should leave immediately. Listen to local media and watch for emergency personnel who may be coming by to give further instructions regarding the evacuation.
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