As residents return to areas impacted by the Rowena Fire, safety remains a top priority. The Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM), Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and Wasco County strongly recommend that property owners not perform cleanup themselves because of the serious toxic hazard threats posed by burned homes and outbuildings.

A Message to Our Community Regarding Wildfire Debris Cleanup June 23, 20525 – We understand that many of you are anxious to begin the daunting task of cleaning up and removing debris from your properties affected by the Rowena Fire. We see your eagerness to start rebuilding, and we share your desire to move forward.

On June 18, 2025, Oregon Department of Emergency Management (OEM) Director Erin McMahon visited Wasco County to meet with local officials and community members impacted by the Rowena Fire.

As the Rowena Fire continues to impact communities west of The Dalles, 15 families who lost their homes in the blaze are seeking public support through GoFundMe campaigns.

A fast-moving wildfire broke out Wednesday afternoon near Mayer State Park, prompting multiple road closures and evacuation orders in the Rowena area, according to the Columbia Gorge Fires Facebook Page.

“The driver and the passenger were in a verbal dispute when the passenger grabbed the steering wheel and cranked it to the right,” the report states. “The passenger denied it and claimed the driver was traveling 95MPH and attempted to get her phone, and it caused the crash.

Pitts was seen earlier in the week at the laundry at Cascade Square. He said he was going to see his girlfriend in Hood River, a 40-year-old male, also houseless, told CCCNews under the condition of anonymity today, Feb. 1. “He was a nice guy; I never had a problem with him,” he said.

A fire is burning a .5 - 1 mile stretch along I-84 in Rowena. A level 3 GO NOW evacuation is in effect along HWY 30 for addresses 5220-6090.