The Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing structural firefighters and an incident management team to fight the Rowena Fire burning in Wasco County. The fire was first reported on Wednesday afternoon and quickly spread, prompting level three, Go Now, evacuations by the Wasco County Sheriff. The fire prompted the closure of I-84 between Mosier and The Dalles as firefighters work to stop the fast-moving flames.
- Choose an alternate route that keeps you well away from any active wildfire zones.
- Stay away from closure areas—roads are not expected to reopen soon, and waiting nearby puts you and emergency crews at risk.
- Expect lengthy delays if you are near closure areas—crews are reporting that eastbound I-84 traffic is currently backed up miles from Hood River.
- Make sure you are using an alternate route that is suitable to the type of vehicle you drive. Some routes, like OR 216 E (Sherars Highway)—are not suitable for trucks or large vehicles.
Stay tuned to TripCheck.com for up-to-date closure information. Tripcheck also shows traffic congestion information which can be helpful when choosing your route. This Flickr album is being updated with pictures and videos from the fire area.
Your cooperation helps keep everyone safe and the roads clear for emergency responders.
At 4:15 p.m., Wednesday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, which allows the state fire marshal to mobilize resources. The agency is currently mobilizing its Green Incident Management Team and six structural task forces. Three task forces will be responding tonight and three more will be arriving early Thursday morning. The Oregon State Fire Marshal Green Team will be working in unified command with the Central Oregon Fire Management Service Type 3 team.
“This early season conflagration should come as a reminder to Oregonians to be ready for wildfire,” State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “The predictions for this summer are extremely concerning. I am asking everyone to take that extra minute to mindful of the conditions and remember it takes a single spark to ignite a disaster.”
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office is posting the latest evacuation information here. The agency says The Dalles Middle School (1100 E 12th St, The Dalles, OR 97058) is open as a temporary shelter and the Wasco County Fairgrounds (81849 Fairgrounds Rd, Tygh Valley, OR 97063) is open for livestock and horses.
For information about the I-84 closure, please monitor www.tripcheck.com.
