June 14, 2025
ROWENA , Ore. – Firefighters working on the Rowena Fire day-shift made good progress in strengthening fire lines around the fire perimeter. Structure crews continued mop-up efforts around homes and buildings extinguishing heat within 50 feet of structures inside the fire perimeter. Firefighters removed hazardous trees to increase safety in the area. Crews continued with structure assessment to determine the extent of damage and loss. This assessment work is expected to be completed this weekend.
Weather conditions remained dry with winds of 15-25 miles per hour and temperatures in the low 70’s. Winds are expected to decrease later this evening with humidities reaching 70-75 % creating favorable fire suppression conditions. The current size of the fire remains at 3,831 acres. More accurate mapping will be available as firefighters continue to work along the fire line and gather updated data.
Crews are working this evening to hold the fire in its current footprint, limiting growth and protecting homes and natural resources. These efforts will assist to increase fire containment.
A community meeting was held tonight at The Dalles High School to provide a current fire update to the public. Fire managers and local officials shared progress updates and fielded questions from the audience. A recording of the meeting will be later posted on YouTube and Facebook for those who couldn’t attend in person.
Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations remain in effect under the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office’s direction. You can search for specific addresses here: https://perimetermap.com/wascocounty-or
The Red Cross shelter remains open at The Dalles Middle School at 1100 East 12th Street. Livestock and horses can be taken to the Wasco County Fairgrounds at 81849 Fairgrounds Road.
I-84 remains open, however firefighters are continuing to work near the roadway; be aware of crews when driving through the area.
Closures: Due to the fires, Mayer State Park is closed to the public. More information is available here:
https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=117
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 6500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_2600. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.
June 13, 2025
ROWENA, Ore. – Windy conditions and warm weather persisted on the Rowena Fire on Thursday, challenging firefighters as they continued aggressive tactics from the air and widespread structural and natural resource protection on the ground. Despite the conditions, little fire growth was seen, as resources held the fire in its footprint at an estimated 3,500 acres.
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Complex Incident Management Team 2 in briefed at 2 p.m. with Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Green Team, who arrived Wednesday evening. ODF Team 2, under delegation by ODF and U.S. Forest Service Columbia River George National Scenic Area created a unified command across the incident as of 7 p.m. on Thursday.
Tonight, under unified command, the fire team will focus on structure protection around Rowena on the southwest side of the fire and scout areas to put in direct fire line to create containment around the perimeter. Firefighters will also patrol the Seven Mile Road between the south side of the fire and homes further down.
As the team integrates and continues to assess incident needs, additional resources are being ordered this evening for Friday’s dayshift, including more aircraft, firefighters, and crews, as well as medics and ambulances. Safety of the surrounding communities and firefighters remains a top priority as decisions are being made.
Evacuations remain in effect under the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office’s direction. Level 1, 2 and 3 have been put in place by the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office. You can search for specific addresses here: https://perimetermap.com/wascocounty-or
The Red Cross has opened a shelter at The Dalles Middle School at 1100 East 12th Street. Livestock and horses can be taken to the Wasco County Fairgrounds at 81849 Fairgrounds Road.
A community meeting will be held Friday night at 7 p.m. at The Dalles High School auditorium. The teams and local agencies will provide a current fire update to the public. A recording of the meeting will be later posted on YouTube and Facebook for those who can’t attend in person.
I-84 remains open, however firefighters are continuing to work on hazard trees near the roadway; be aware of crews when driving through the area.
Closures: Due to the fires, Mayer State Park is closed to the public. More information is available here: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=117
Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 6500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_2600. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.
June 6, 2025
Salem, Ore. – Over the last week, several Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Fire Protection Districts have announced the start of fire season and implemented the necessary fire danger levels and restrictions to reduce the number of human-caused fires.
Fire danger levels may be low, moderate, high, or extreme at different times throughout the year based on local fuel conditions, weather and other potential fire hazards. Public use restrictions on activities are enacted during fire season in an effort to reduce the number of human-caused fires, and may fluctuate throughout the season.
Conditions across the state are quickly becoming more susceptible to wildfire due to reduced rain and high temperatures.
As of today, the following ODF districts have announced their declaration of fire season:
- Southwest Oregon (Jackson and Josephine county) – June 1 – Moderate Fire Danger
- Central Oregon (Hood River, Jefferson, Deschutes, Crook, Morrow, Wheeler, Grant, and Harney County) June 2 – Moderate Fire Danger
- Walker Ranger FPA (northern Klamath County) – June 2 – Moderate Fire Danger
- Northeast Oregon (Wallowa, Union, Umatilla, and Baker County) – June 5 – Low Fire Danger
- Klamath-Lake (Klamath and Lake County) – June 6 – Moderate Fire Danger
- Coos FPA (Coos and Curry County) – June 6 – Low Fire Danger
- Douglas FPA (Douglas County) – June 6 – Moderate Fire Danger
- Western Lane (Lane County) – June 9 – Moderate Fire Danger
- South Cascade (Linn and Lane County) – June 9 – Moderate Fire Danger
Additional fire regulations may be implemented as fire danger level changes throughout fire season.
With the forecast of a hotter, drier summer this year, the Oregon Department of Forestry urges residents not to become complacent in wildfire prevention.
With several districts in or going into fire season, and others not yet there, it’s important to check the local fire restrictions where you live and where you’re planning to travel. Remaining informed of local fire restrictions can prevent you from bringing prohibited fire hazards onto the landscape and from potentially starting the next large wildfire.
Remember, the fewer human-caused fires in Oregon we have, the more you’re helping protect Oregon’s natural resources, communities, and firefighters. For tips on wildfire prevention, visit www.keeporegongreen.org. Check your local restrictions at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.
June 5, 2025
Springfield, Ore. – Fire season on all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) South Cascade and Western Lane District will begin June 9, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. Starting this Monday, the district’s fire danger level will be “MODERATE” (BLUE), and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be I (one).
Earlier this year, fire managers were optimistic regarding this year’s fire season due to the higher-than-normal snowpack and winter rainfall. However, due to the decline in spring rain and rise in temperatures, conditions in the districts are quickly changing to be more susceptible to fire.
Before bringing a fire hazard on the landscape, check the fire restrictions in your local area or the area you’re traveling to.
Beginning June 9, the South Cascade and Western Lane Districts will be implementing restrictions based on fire danger level. MODERATE (BLUE) fire danger level restricts the following activities:
- No debris burning, including piles and burn barrels, unless permitted by the local forester.
- Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited.
- No smoking while traveling through or working in any operational area.
- Use of spark emitting equipment (power saws, mowers, etc.), including the mowing of dried cured grass, is prohibited after 1:00 p.m. and before 8:00 p.m.
In addition to the fire prevention requirements Under IFPL I (one), the following will go into effect:
- A fire watch is required for a minimum of one hour during breaks and at the end of the operational period.
Additional fire restrictions or regulations may apply depending on the changing fire risks throughout the fire season.
The Oregon Department of Forestry urges residents not to become complacent in wildfire prevention. The fewer human-caused fires we have, the less the district’s resources are strained.
ODF’s Western Lane and South Cascade District protect state and private lands in Linn, Lane, and northern Douglas County. For tips on wildfire prevention, visit www.keeporegongreen.org. Check your local restrictions at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.
June 2, 2025
La Grande, OR – While some areas in northeast Oregon remain green, fire activity in the region has started to increase. As a result, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) has declared the start of fire season for the Northeast Oregon District. “Continued dry conditions and increasing temperatures are expected in the coming weeks. These conditions, combined with rising fire danger, have led us to declare fire season,” said Justin Lauer, District Forester.
The fire season will officially begin at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, June 5, for the forests and rangelands protected by the ODF Northeast Oregon District. “With the forecasted weather conditions our fine fuels will continue to cure out making it more likely for fires to spread quickly. Declaring fire season allows us to help prevent human-caused fires, which can be a significant issue throughout the summer,” Lauer explained. The declaration of fire season places fire prevention restrictions on landowners and the public. Additionally, fire prevention regulations on industrial logging and forest management activities are put into place. Lands affected include private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands in Union, Baker, Wallowa, and Umatilla counties along with small portions of Malheur, Morrow, and Grant counties within the Northeast Oregon Forest Protection District. This area encompasses approximately 2 million acres of protected lands. ODF encourages landowners and the public to help prevent accidental ignitions by taking extra precautions while recreating or working, it can make a difference.
For information on restrictions across the Northeast Oregon District, dial: (541) 975-3027 or visit www.bmidc.org, for current information on fire restrictions.
During Fire Season:
· Debris burning is by permit only. To obtain a burn permit for a debris pile or burn barrel, please call your local ODF office.
o Baker City Sub-Unit: (541) 523-5831
o La Grande Unit: (541) 963-3168
o Pendleton Unit: (541) 276-3491
o Wallowa Unit: (541) 886-2881
· The use of exploding targets, tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base is prohibited.
· Logging and other industrial operations must meet requirements for fire prevention, such as fire tools, water supply, and watchman service when those operations are occurring on lands protected by ODF. Contact your local Stewardship Forester at any NEO District office for more information.
· Campfires must be DEAD OUT! Recreationists are reminded that campfires need to be attended to and fully extinguished before being left.
o Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required; shovel or other firefighting tool, minimum of 1-gallon of water, or 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher and a fire watch at least one hour after extinguishing. Get permission from the landowner prior to starting a campfire.
· The use of Sky Lanterns is always illegal in Oregon.
To report a fire, dial 9-1-1.
Make sure you know the fire restrictions before you head out. Check with your local Forest Service office for fire regulations on National Forest land, or BLM office for lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Information on Public-Use Restrictions on the Oregon Department of Forestry, Umatilla National Forest and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest can be found at http://bmidc.org/index.shtml under Current Information: Fire Restrictions.
