The estimated size of the Owens Fire burning south of the community of Hood River has been revised downward to about 12 acres. The blaze reported in the early morning June 18 spread rapidly in dry logging slash, then slowed as it exhausted the hot-burning fuel source. Oregon Department of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service firefighters achieved 10 percent containment by early afternoon, with full containment expected by 6 p.m. Thursday.
The fire, originally estimated at about 50 acres, is burning on forestland owned by Hood River County 12 miles south of Hood River. Steep, rugged terrain on part of the site posed a challenge to firefighters constructing line around it.
Forest conditions are extremely dry across most of Oregon. The department urged Oregonians to be especially mindful of fire safety when recreating in the outdoors.