For Immediate Release
Contacts: Christie
Shaw, Oregon Department of Forestry (541-263-0661)
Shaw, Oregon Department of Forestry (541-263-0661)
Colton Whitworth, USFS-Columbia River
Gorge National Scenic Area (425-530-8285)
Gorge National Scenic Area (425-530-8285)
[Rowena,
Ore.] The Rowena Fire was reported early
afternoon on Sunday, June 28th, burning in grass, scrub oak and
timber near Rowena, Oregon in Wasco County.
The fire burned approximately fifteen acres before spread was
stopped. Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue,
Oregon Department of Forestry and US Forest Service Columbia River Gorge
National Scenic Area are in Unified Command working to suppress the fire. Resources on scene include five wildland fire
engines, one Scenic Area crew, several overhead personnel and engines from
Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, Mosier Fire Department and Hood River Fire
Department. Two Fireboss Single Engine
Air Tankers (SEATs) from Washington Department of Natural Resources and a
federal Type 1 helicopter were used to check the spread of the fire and allow
firefighters on the ground to make progress digging handline and wetting fuel
on the perimeter of the fire.
Ore.] The Rowena Fire was reported early
afternoon on Sunday, June 28th, burning in grass, scrub oak and
timber near Rowena, Oregon in Wasco County.
The fire burned approximately fifteen acres before spread was
stopped. Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue,
Oregon Department of Forestry and US Forest Service Columbia River Gorge
National Scenic Area are in Unified Command working to suppress the fire. Resources on scene include five wildland fire
engines, one Scenic Area crew, several overhead personnel and engines from
Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, Mosier Fire Department and Hood River Fire
Department. Two Fireboss Single Engine
Air Tankers (SEATs) from Washington Department of Natural Resources and a
federal Type 1 helicopter were used to check the spread of the fire and allow
firefighters on the ground to make progress digging handline and wetting fuel
on the perimeter of the fire.
Additionalresources will be arriving this evening to complete handline around the
perimeter and begin mop-up work on the interior of the fire. Containment is estimated at 40% with a
combination of fireline to mineral soil and fire hose with “wetline” around the
perimeter. The fire burned in steep
rugged terrain near the fire scar from the 2014 Rowena Fire.
The
Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Level 1 Evacuation (Get Ready!) from
6090 Hwy 30 to 5220 Hwy 30 (Old Columbia River Highway) as a precaution. For information regarding the evacuation
notice please call 541-506-2792.
Wasco County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Level 1 Evacuation (Get Ready!) from
6090 Hwy 30 to 5220 Hwy 30 (Old Columbia River Highway) as a precaution. For information regarding the evacuation
notice please call 541-506-2792.
The cause of the fire is under
investigation.
investigation.