Wasco County and Gorge Commission Propose Plan Amendment to Accelerate Fire Recovery Efforts

Sep 3

Written By Columbia Community Connection

The Dalles, Ore., Sept. 3, 2025 — Wasco County Community Development is partnering with Columbia River Gorge Commission (CRGC) staff to modernize disaster recovery in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This collaboration aims to address the recovery needs following the Rowena, Burdoin, Broughton, and Tunnel Fires.

On September 9, 2025, Wasco County and the Columbia River Gorge Commission staff will present a request to the Columbia River Gorge Commission to amend the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area Management Plan. This proposed Plan Amendment seeks to streamline procedures, offer greater flexibility, and create opportunities for temporary uses to support disaster recovery efforts.

"We appreciate the partnership with the Columbia River Gorge Commission as we work together to find more effective ways to help our communities recover from these devastating fires," said Kelly Howsley-Glover, Community Development Director. "This amendment is a crucial step toward modernizing our approach and ensuring that our residents have the support and resources they need to rebuild."

The discussion comes on the heels of the Rowena and Burdoin fires in June and July, respectively, this summer. The Rowena blaze ravaged the rural area just west of The Dalles, destroying 56 residential homes as it incinerated approximately 3,700 acres—prompting widespread evacuations and scores of families to seek shelter elsewhere. The Burdoin Fire in July burned across the river near Lyle, Washington, tore through at least 14 residential structures and damaged or destroyed 80 other buildings in the 10,000-acre blaze.

Families lost not only houses but wells, septic systems, and decades of memories.

“There is a long road to recovery,” said Wasco County public information officer Stephanie Krell of the Rowena Fire earlier this summer. “We need to keep the momentum. This is not going to end next week. We’re looking at the long game.”

If the Gorge Commission approves the request, staff will prepare revised Management Plan language. This draft language will then be shared with the public for a 30-day comment period, providing an additional opportunity for community input.

Making rebuilding clearer

Currently, landowners seeking to replace a home lost to wildfire must obtain a new permit — but the rules are not explicit on whether that process should be expedited. Howsley-Glover said the lack of clarity slows down recovery.
“One of the goals is to make that clear, which will help staff process the permit faster because not as many criteria will be in play,” she explained in a recent message to CCCNews.

Longer window, more temporary shelter

Proposals under consideration include extending the timeline for replacement permits from two years to five or seven years, giving families more flexibility before starting construction. Another change would allow temporary living options, such as staying in RVs on-site for longer than the current 60-day annual limit — mirroring allowances adopted outside the Scenic Area under new Oregon law.

Wasco County is urging citizens to show their support for the Plan Amendment request. The community's voice is vital in this process. Citizens are encouraged to share their experiences with the Rowena Fire and its impact on the community, their vision for recovery, their sense of urgency for new options, and their desire to see Rowena continue as a vibrant part of the National Scenic Area. Support for the collaboration between Wasco County and CRGC staff are also welcome.

How to Provide Comments:

The Commission requires all written materials to be submitted no later than Monday, September 8 at noon.
Email comments to: PublicComment@Gorgecommission.org
Subject line: Plan Amendment Request for Disaster Recovery Comment
Address comments to: The appointed Columbia River Gorge Commissioners. Information about the Commissioners can be found at: https://www.gorgecommission.org/about-crgc/commissioners-staff/

The agenda for the September 9th meeting will be available by the end of the day on Tuesday, September 2nd, at https://www.gorgecommission.org/about- crgc/commission-meetings/.

For questions about how to provide comments, please contact Kelly Howsley-Glover at 541-2560 or kellyg@co.wasco.or.us.