SIT REP 2 | JUNE 15, 2025 | SUNDAY

We are dedicating this post to all of the Dads out there, whether you are fighting this fire, a firefighter working today, or just a rad Dad, today is your day, and we wish you the best Father’s Day ever. We are thinking of the fathers (& families) that are being impacted by this fire and other incidents. Please stay safe out there, friends.- Ed.

Incident Summary | The ROWENA FIRE is located about three miles northwest of The Dalles (Wasco County), Oregon, where fire fuels are grass, brush, and light slash.

All Photo Credits | OR Fire Information 2025

Current Fire Operations Daily Update | Firefighters are making great strides in progress, thanks to their efforts on night operations, including mop-up operations across the fireline, extinguishing hotspots, and removing hazardous trees. Fire behavior has been observed as active with single tree torching, spotting, and wind-driven runs.

Cause | Human-caused and under investigation.

Size | 3,636 acres with a 10% containment status.

Resources | 15 hand crews, 44 engines, 13 water tenders, 2 dozers, 10 helicopters, and 592 total personnel.

Incident Cooperators | Red Cross, Wasco County Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, US Forest Service, Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue, OR State Fire Marshal’s Office, Lebanon Fire District, Portland Fire & Rescue, Multnomah County Task Force, Sunriver Nature Center, FireMap.Live FEMA Region 10, Aurora Fire District, Clackamas Fire, Clackamas County Task Force, Central Oregon IMT type 3.

Command | Several agencies began operations on June 11, 2025, under Unified Command, which included the U.S. Forest Service and the Oregon Department of Forestry. Today, Command is listed under Incident Command (IC) ODF Matt Howard with the IMT Team 2, and OSFM Incident Command (IC) Steve Bregman with the OSFM Green Team.

Evacations | Levels 1-3 are still in effect. –> Updates: https://perimetermap.com/wascocounty-or

Shelter (Humans) | Red Cross Shelter, The Dalles Middle School, 1100 E. 12th Street. Red Cross Phone #800-RedCross or download their free Red Cross Emergency App.

According to the Red Cross, they stated there were 42 people in their shelter on the night of June 11th. Pets are welcome at the shelter, and it will be open as long as the Red Cross Volunteers are needed.

Photo Credit | Red Cross

Shelter (Livestock & Horses) | Wasco County Fairgrounds, 81849 Fairgrounds Road.

Road Closures | https://www.tripcheck.com

Park Closures | Mayer State Park.

Fire Restrictions | ODF: http://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx

Damage Assessment | 56 residential buildings and 91 other structures, such as sheds, barns, and shops. These numbers have been confirmed by the Mid-Columbia Fire & Rescue, Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Cost-to-Date | $750,000.

Sunday afternoon’s tactical firing operations, aimed at strengthening control lines, can be seen in this photo.

Through the Eyes of Social Media – What People Are Saying

“It takes real partnerships and selfless volunteers to help a community after a disaster. That’s why we want to thank Alicia Mitchell, who signed up to be a Red Cross volunteer at our shelter at The Dalles Middle School to help those affected by the Rowena Fire. “I overheard a lady who had just lost her house, and it really hit home to me. So, I thought, ‘what can I do to help?” (Red Cross, 6/15/2025)

“While a Polk County task force was working to contain a section of the fire near Tooley Lake, officials said a baby deer emerged from a burned area, ‘crying and making a beeline’ for the firefighters.” (Local media, 6/15/2025)

“Over 53k residents of Wasco County, OR, used Perimeter this week to get reliable, real-time info about how to respond to the Rowena Fire. We’re proud to support them by providing clarity and preventing confusion when minutes matter.” (Perimeter, 6/14/2025)

“As these Rowena fires continue, some animals are being left stranded. We found this kitten who had severe burn marks across his face. We took him to the vet and will continue to follow his progress.” (Local Media, 6/13/2025)

“The Rowena Fire continued scorching the area between Mosier and Hood River Thursday night, destroying homes and threatening thousands more.” (Local Media, 6/13/2025)

“Resident recalls fighting Rowena Fire, only to lose everything: ‘Fire all around us“. (Local Media, 6/13/2025)

“With over 292,000 page visits during the first two days of the Rowena Fire, Perimeter became a lifeline, helping families in Wasco County understand when to evacuate, where it was safe to go, and how to protect the people they love.” (Perimeter, 6/13/2025)

“Many structures burned and flames still going on in some areas west of The Dalles from the (Fire).” – (Local reporter, 6/13/2025)

“We’re getting a look at the immense destruction from the Rowena Fire along Highway 30. Homes along the road are completely destroyed.” (Local Media, 6/13/2025)

“We have two new incidents in the Columbia Gorge, one along SR-14 near Carson, the #GrantLakeFire, and another, the #RowenaFire, on the Oregon side near Mayer State Park, prompting Level 3 Evacuations for western portions of The Dalles.” (Local Meteorologist, 6/11/2025)

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