Rowena Fire destroys 20 homes near The Dalles, Oregon
A fast-moving wildfire burned 1 400 ha (3 500 acres) near The Dalles, Oregon, on June 11 and 12, 2025, destroying at least 20 homes. Strong winds and dry conditions kept the fire 0% contained, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate.
Image credit: Oregon State Fire Marshal
The Rowena Fire ignited during the late afternoon on June 11 in the Columbia River Gorge near the community of Rowena, Wasco County, Oregon. The fire rapidly expanded overnight, fueled by dry grasses and gusty winds reaching 64 km/h (40 mph). By Thursday morning, it had grown to approximately 1 400 ha (3 500 acres), destroying at least 20 homes and threatening more than 2 000 structures.
Evacuation orders were issued for over 700 homes while pre-evacuation notices were in effect for an additional 1 300 properties, affecting more than 3 000 residents. The American Red Cross and local emergency management agencies established evacuation centers in The Dalles and Tygh Valley.
The Oregon Department of Forestry and the Oregon State Fire Marshal confirmed that the fire was human-caused but the precise origin remains under investigation.
The state’s Emergency Conflagration Act was invoked by Governor Tina Kotek, authorizing interagency coordination and deployment of additional firefighting resources. “This fire has the potential to overwhelm local capacity, and we are mobilizing every tool available,” said Mariana Ruiz-Temple, State Fire Marshal.
Interstate 84 was closed in both directions for nearly 32 km (20 miles) between Hood River and The Dalles. Portions of Historic Highway 30 were also shut due to fire activity and smoke. Some sections of I‑84 reopened later Thursday, but authorities warned of possible reclosures depending on fire conditions.
As of 18:00 LT on June 13, the fire remained 0% contained. More than 400 personnel, including structural protection task forces and aerial support, were assigned to the incident. No fatalities or injuries had been reported.
The National Weather Service (NWS) had issued a Red Flag Warning before ignition, citing warm, dry conditions and very low live fuel moisture levels. These factors, combined with sustained winds, resulted in aggressive fire behavior.
Travis Medema, Chief Deputy at the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office, said this event signals the start of an early and potentially severe fire season. He noted that continued drought and elevated temperatures across Oregon and the broader Pacific Northwest may increase the risk of similar wildfires in the coming weeks.
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