45 shelter at TD Middle School as Rowena Fire destroys homes; wind looks to kindle flames near The Dalles
Oregon Department of Transportation captured this photo from Rowena Loops this morning, June 12.
By Tom Peterson and Joshuah Albert
The Dalles, Ore., June 12, 2025, Noon — Fire crews continue to battle the Rowena Fire on the west end of The Dalles this morning as local families deal with displacement. Multiple homes have burned, and evacuation zones are being expanded.
A 7 a.m. morning briefing was held for responding fire agencies, marking the first daylight operations for incoming Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces. Firefighters are actively engaged in fire line work and structure protection.
Later today, the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team is expected to join OSFM’s Green Team in unified command.
OSFM has mobilized significant resources statewide, including 489 firefighters, approximately 143 engines, and 32 water tenders to protect communities across Oregon .
This shot shows the burned area between The Dalles and Rowena - The Discovery Center in west The Dalles has sustained some fire damage, but the building remains intact.
The fire has burned thousands of acres in the steep cliffs along the Columbia River from Rowena to The Dalles, making access difficult. Helicopters and Fire Boss planes have been used to douse the front lines of the advancing flames.
Sarah Welsh with the US Forest Service described the tough wind conditions while working from a helicopter on Wednesday, June 11.
Sarah Welsh, 31, with the U.S. Forest Service said she and her team were brought in to assist in the initial attack last evening. They worked for several hours from their helicopter using a bucket to douse flames along the steep cliff lines from the plateau above the Discovery Center in west The Dalles.
She said it was difficult work, as winds were sustained between 30 and 40 mph, with gusts reaching 50 mph.
“We had a hard time getting accurate drops,” she said. The helicopters with buckets are used in steeper sections where it is more difficult for planes to target.
Welsh said she also rappels from helicopters when conditions allow and is lowered into hot spots to fight manually with Pulaskis, shovels and chainsaws.
This morning, four helicopters and two Fire Boss planes were stationed at the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport, awaiting assignment to the fire.
Fire Boss Planes in wait this morning, June 12.
Four helicopters and their pilots were set at the Columbia Gorge Regional Airport in Dallesport this morning, June 12.
High winds are expected to continue today, with sustained speeds between 17 and 22 mph and gusts up to 31 mph, according to the National Weather Service. Friday’s forecast is similar, with winds not expected to decline until Saturday.
As of 6:45 a.m. this morning, evacuation zones have expanded:
Level 3 (GO NOW) orders in effect for:
Rowena Ferry Road east to River Road
Seven Mile Hill Road to Mountain View Drive
South to Chenowith Creek Road and Browns Creek Road
East to West Seventh Street in The Dalles
Level 2 (BE SET) evacuation notices now cover:
New areas from Highway 30 west to Dell Road and State Road, south to Seven Mile Hill Road, and east to Mountain View Drive
The Port of The Dalles area
Snipes Street west to Chenowith Loop Road, then south to Browns Creek Road
Level 1 (BE READY) evacuation alerts include several new zones:
From I-84 milepost 75 west to MP 73, south to Marsh Cutoff Road, east to Dell Road
From the Dell Road and State Road intersection west to Morgensen Road, then south to Dry Creek Road and east to State Road
From Dry Creek Road west to Carroll and Catron roads, south to Osborn Cutoff Road, and northeast back to Dry Creek
From Osborn Cutoff south to Vensel Road, southeast to Chenowith Creek Road, and northeast to Seven Mile Hill Road
Snipes Street east to River Road, south to Bargeway Road, west to I-84
From Seven Mile Hill Road east to Browns Creek Road, then east to Snipes Street and Cherry Heights Road, south to Browns Creek Road
American Red Cross Volunteers Cecil Jensen, Jane Burke and Alan UnderKofler offered drinks, food and a place to sleep for some 45 people displaced by the Rowena Fire on Wednesday. The Shelter remains open at The Dalles Middle School.
Shelters remain open for evacuees. The Red Cross has set up operations at The Dalles Middle School, 1100 E. 12th St., for displaced residents. The Wasco County Fairgrounds in Tygh Valley is accepting livestock, horses and residents with trailers.
This morning, multiple families were at the middle school as American Red Cross volunteers provided shelter, food, water, and even space for pets.
“We had about 45 people last night,” said Red Cross volunteer Alan UnderKofler.
“We have water, snacks, all the meals,” added Jane Burke, shelter supervisor. “We’re open and we will be here for the foreseeable future. People are welcome, even if it’s just to get a meal.”
People were at the shelter for reasons ranging from loss of electricity to the destruction of their homes. They came with their dogs—and even one turtle. Locals brought donations of pet food to the site on Wednesday afternoon.
The fire’s devastation is being felt throughout the community, with multiple Facebook posts lamenting the loss of homes in the Rowena area.
“Three wildfires ignited Thursday afternoon in the Gorge, including the fast-moving Rowena Fire, which has now scorched over 2,500 acres west of The Dalles,” posted Friends of the Columbia River Gorge. “The fire has destroyed more than 20 homes and structures, including the on-site house at Friends’ Discovery Center Preserve. Our hearts are with the renters, who lost everything.”
“We’re also tracking the Grant and Sand Hill fires near Friends' Turtle Haven and Alashík Preserves near Carson, Washington, which forced our field crew to evacuate as they were conducting population surveys on the endangered northwestern pond turtle. Thankfully, those smaller fires are now mostly contained, and we’re working with Forest Service staff to determine when work can resume in the area.”
Semi-Trucks lined Sixth Street on Wednesday evening as Interstate 84 was shutdown between The Dalles and Hood River and detour routes were jammed.
Officers were stationed on West Sixth Street as Highway 30 remains closed.
Back on the Rowena Fire, I-84 has reopened, but Highway 30 remains closed from Rowena to milepost 82. Motorists should continue to use alternate routes.
Updated evacuation maps are available at perimetermap.com.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
