Wildfire — Eastern Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

2025-06-11 to 2025-06-25 · Eastern Columbia River Gorge, Oregon

Event narrative

The wildfire resulted in numerous evacuations in and around Rowena and Chenowith, Oregon. As of the most recent official count performed June 15th, a total of 56 residential structures and 91 additional structures, including sheds, barns and shops, were destroyed by the fire. The fire also resulted in all lanes of Interstate 84 between mile posts 64 and 82 to be closed between 1330 PDT on the 11th to 0520 PDT on the 12th.

Wider weather episode

The Rowena Fire started the afternoon of the 11th near the community of Rowena, and quickly spread up hill and east towards The Dalles as winds increased to around 30 mph that afternoon. Dry, warm, and breezy conditions assisted the spread of the wildfire after the 11th. Fuel conditions were also dry enough for the wildfire to spread quickly when it first started.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1279544. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.