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Oregon wildfire prompts evacuations and closes interstate in Columbia River Gorge
- The Rowena Fire began Wednesday afternoon in the Columbia River Gorge near Rowena, Oregon, rapidly spreading and resulting in the loss of 20 homes while consuming over 3,500 acres.
- Unseasonably dry spring weather, parched vegetation, gusty winds, and record-low fuel moistures fueled the fire's rapid spread, with officials believing it was likely human caused though investigation continues.
- At 4:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Governor Tina Kotek activated statewide emergency measures, enabling the state fire marshal to deploy resources, which coincided with evacuation orders for more than 730 residences impacting upwards of 3,000 individuals.
- Interstate 84, which had been closed between mileposts 64 and 82 due to the fire, reopened early Thursday after roughly 10 hours. Meanwhile, temporary shelters were set up at local community centers and a middle school in The Dalles area to assist evacuees.
- Fire officials warned this early-season fire signals a difficult year ahead, prompting calls for public mindfulness to prevent disasters amid concerning summer fire predictions and federal funding authorization.
33 Articles
33 Articles
20 Homes Lost in Wind-Driven Blaze - Videos from The Weather Channel
A wildfire spread by strong winds in Oregon forced evacuations along the state border with Washington. Twenty homes were destroyed and a stretch of Interstate 84 was closed as the fire spread on Thursday. Authorities say the fire was caused by human activity, and an investigation is underway. - Videos from The Weather Channel
Wildfires close highways, force evacuations
Wildfires in Oregon, between the Hood River and The Dalles, had led to the indefinite closure of highways and evacuations for thousands of residents as of Thursday, June 12. Oregon Wildfire Response and Recovery said the Rowena Fire had burned over 3,000 acres since it began on Wednesday, June 11. The Oregon Department of Transportation issued a traffic alert advising of the following: Periodic rolling slowdowns are happening on Interstate 84 t…
Oregon wildfire destroys homes and forces evacuations - Hawaii Tribune-Herald
A rapidly spreading blaze on the northern edge of Oregon, called the Rowena fire, ignited Wednesday, destroying 20 homes, shutting down a section of a highway and causing authorities to declare evacuation orders. By Thursday morning, the wind-driven fire had grown to 3,500 acres and was zero percent contained.
Rowena Fire grows to 3,500 acres; investigators say it was human-caused
A wildfire that started Wednesday afternoon near Rowena, Oregon, grew to an estimated 3,500 acres by Thursday morning.According to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center, the fire was human-caused. But no further details about its origin were available. The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 3 Go Now evacuation orders for more than 800 people living in the area. Level 2 Be Set evacuation orders are in effect for more than 1,40…
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