The Oregon Dept. of Forestry expects to achieve 85 percent containment of the 20-acre Owens Fire, located about 12 miles south of the community of Hood River, by Thursday evening, June 19. The fire is currently 65 percent contained. Full containment may be a few days off, due to the felled timber, but fire behavior is minimal and spread is not expected.
Firefighters have completed lines around the fire. Steep terrain and heavy fuels posed a challenge when the fire broke out early Wednesday morning.
Today three fire engines, four hand crews and several fire management (overhead) personnel are on site. The helicopter working the fire Wednesday has been released. Cause of the fire has not been confirmed, but ODF investigators are focusing on the timber harvest activity.
The U.S. Forest Service assisted ODF with equipment and personnel in the firefighting effort.
The Owens Fire occurred on forestland owned by Hood River County.