Rowena Fire

Rowena Fire
Part of 2025 Oregon wildfires
The Rowena Fire on the night of June 11, 2025
Date	June 11 – June 25, 2025
Location	Rowena, Wasco County, Oregon
Statistics
Burned area	3,700 acres (1,500 ha)
Impacts
Deaths	0
Injuries	0
Evacuated	8,000
Structures destroyed	56 residential, 91 secondary, 18 minor
Cost	About $9 million in suppression efforts (2025 USD)
Ignition
Cause	Allegedly: Sparks from a Union Pacific Railroad train.[a] Officially: Human-caused
Map

The Rowena Fire was a wildfire that burned near Rowena and The Dalles, Oregon. The wildfire ignited at approximately 1:30 P.M. June 11, 2025, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation.^[a] The fire quickly spread to 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) that day. Governor Tina Kotek issued an Emergency Conflagration Act, enabling extra resources to fight the fire, and a state of emergency. The fire engulfed 56 residential, 91 secondary, and 18 minor structures. About 8,000 residents were under evacuation notices.

The Rowena Fire rapidly spread from extremely low fuel moistures and strong winds that topped 30 miles (48 km) per hour, and burned in uphill terrain. The fire closed portions of Interstate 84 and U.S. Route 30. The fire was reported 100% contained on June 25.

"Wildfire season" in Oregon typically lasts between mid-May and the first major rains, often in late September.^[1] The Rowena Fire burned west of The Dalles,^[2] which lies in the eastern Columbia River Gorge.^[3] The Cascade Range roughly divides the Columbia River Gorge into east and west; the eastern Columbia River Gorge is dominated by drier grassland from the mountain range's rain shadow. The Columbia River Gorge also functions as a wind funnel from its topography through the Cascades, often creating wind up to 50 miles per hour (80 km/h) during wildfire season.^[4] The Gorge has seen multiple wildfires in recent years, including the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire, the 2018 Substation Fire,^[5] and the 2024 Microwave Tower Fire near Mosier, Oregon.^[6] A separate wildfire in 2014, also known as the Rowena Fire, burned in a similar area at 3,500 acres (1,400 ha).^[7] The Columbia River Gorge is also considered a wildland-urban interface, a residential setting where neighborhoods lie within fire-prone wildland.^[8]

The 2024–25 winter saw above-average precipitation and a steady snowpack, leading to rapid vegetation growth in eastern Oregon. In late March 2025, there was no drought or abnormal dryness in Oregon since 2019. However, April, May, and the first weeks of June were abnormally warm and dry, minimizing the impacts of the winter.^[9] The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) had forecast above-average wildfire potential across the Oregon.^[10] Western Wasco County was experiencing abnormally dry conditions.^[b] on June 10, 2025.^[12] In the preceding week, an intense heatwave across the Pacific Northwest dried out soil and vegetation, leaving plants more vulnerable to wildfire ignition and spread; The Dalles broke its daily high temperature record for June 9, recording a temperature of 101 °F (38 °C).^[13][10]

The Rowena Fire was fueled by record-low fuel moistures. Strong, gusty winds between 30 and 40 miles per hour (48 and 64 km/h) fanned the fire across the dry land. These strong winds led to the fire spotting^[c] before fire crews were fully situated. The Rowena Fire ignited in steep terrain, fueling its quick eastern and upwards movement towards The Dalles.^[10][15][13] Regionally on June 11, temperatures peaked between 80 and 90 °F (27 and 32 °C) and dipped to 50 and 60 °F (10 and 16 °C).^[16]

According to estimates by the United States Census Bureau by June 2025, the unincorporated community of Rowena, Oregon (where the bulk of the Rowena Fire's destroyed structures lie) had a population of about 130. Over fifty percent are above sixty years old and over fifty percent live below the poverty line. A spokesperson for Wasco County estimated over fifty percent of the residents do not have home insurance due to the high cost. Rowena had a low number of housing units.^[17]

The Rowena Fire started on June 11, 2025, near the unincorporated community of Rowena, Oregon.^[13] The exact cause of the fire remains under official investigation.^[18] The Oregon Department of Forestry has said the fire is likely human-caused, and no federal agencies have announced sparks from a train as a possible cause.^[19] The precise area of origin is still under investigation. No official agency has attributed the cause to rail operations.^[20]

The Rowena Fire was first reported at 1:38 pm on June 11, 2025, near milepost 78 of Interstate 84. Sustained winds were reported at 25 miles per hour (40 km/h); the fire's size was unclear. Interstate 84 between Mosier and The Dalles was request to be shut down by 1:46 pm, per radio traffic. Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuations^[d] would be issued near Rowena and along Intestate 84 within one hour.^[22][23] All evacuation notices were upgraded to evacuation orders at about 3 pm between Rowena Ferry Road and Discovery Road at the intersection with U.S. Route 30.^[23] Shortly after 4:00 pm, Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, which allowed the Oregon State Fire Marshal to direct resources towards the Rowena Fire.^[24] Throughout the late afternoon and evening, Level 1 and 3 evacuation levels were issued south of the Rowena Fire and Level 1 and 2 evacuations were issued southeast of the fire towards The Dalles.^[23] The Red Cross set up an emergency shetler at The Dalles Middle School; it saw 45 evacuees stay overnight. The Wasco County Fairgrounds in Tygh Valley opened to livestock, horses, and trailers.^[25] Firefighting pilots estimated the fire at 2,500 acres (1,000 ha) around 7:25 pm,^[23] although the exact size remained unclear. Three task forces were sent in by the Oregon State Fire Marshal that night.^[24] Throughout the day, two small wildfires under 50 acres (20 ha) across the Columbia River near Carson, Washington.^[25]

Interstate 84 reopened early morning on June 12 after hazardous trees along the highway were removed. Level 1 evacuations were issued south and southwest of the Rowena Fire. The fire was "aggressively burning" that morning, mapped at 3,500 acres (1,400 ha) by the NIFC. An estimated 180 firefighters were responding.^[23][15] A preliminary damage assessment recorded 20 structures destroyed and 2,200 threatened.^[7] Despite high winds between 20 and 30 miles per hour (32 and 48 km/h)) that posed as a challenge to firefighting efforts, there was little growth on the fire. By the morning of June 13, it was mapped at 3,831 acres (1,550 ha) with infrared.^[26][27]

Firefighters focused on removing "hazard trees" along Interstate 84 and U.S. Route 30 on June 14.^[28] The fire was now 5% contained with 484 personnel combating the Rowena Fire, and there were slightly weaker winds.^[29] The focus was now patrolling the fire's perimeter and mop-up operations.^[30] Firing operations took place on the southwestern edge of the fire on June 15, removing unburned vegetation and fire fuel. Additionally, members from the Oregon State Fire Marshal assessed the burned area and determined 56 residential and 91 other structures were destroyed.^[31] Progress on the fire was significant, and containment jumped to 37% and all Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders had been lowered to Level 2 "Set" evacuations.^[32]

Strong, gusty winds towards the southeast of the fire halted the removal of hazard trees due to safety concerns.^[33] Despite the Rowena Fire seeing "improvement", it was still significantly burning. It was now determined the fire was human-caused. Some houses were still under Level 3 evacuation orders from remaining hazards from falling trees and rockslides.^[34] Even more progress had been made, the fire now at 53% containment, and several fire crews were demobilized to their home district or assigned to other fires.^[35] The fire was 96% contained by June 24, and management was transitioned to local resources. The Temporary Flight Restriction had been lifted, and all evacuation notices had been lifted.^[36] Rain helped suppression efforts, and U.S. Route 30 had reopened to local traffic.^[18]

As of June 27, the Rowena Fire remains 99% contained. The containment number was achieved "quick[ly] for fires like [the Rowena Fire]".^[37]

The Rowena Fire's severity led to Governor Tina Kotek to issue a state of emergency.^[38]

In a lawsuit, a couple affected by the Rowena Fire allege that the fire was caused by a Union Pacific Railroad train sending off sparks. The victims’ legal complaint alleges "several eyewitnesses" saw "superheated particles" emitted from the train, and flames sparked in nearby brush and vegetation. A California based attorney interviewed witnesses and reviewed social media posts related to the fire. The couple is suing for "property loss, emotional distress, lost wages, and evacuation costs" (seeking double damages for economic losses under a state law) and argue Union Pacific violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act and the Locomotive Inspection Act. No official cause for the fire has been identified by the Department of Forestry or any other fire authority. ^[18][20]

• 2024 Oregon wildfires
• 2025 United States wildfires
• Eagle Creek Fire
• Substation Fire

• Incident map and information | Watch Duty
• Rowena Fire incident information | InciWeb
• Wildfire and smoke map | USA Today