Rowena Fire

Rowena Fire
Rowena Fire
Part of 2025 Oregon wildfires
Date(s)	June 11 -; present;
Location	Rowena, Wasco County, Oregon
Statistics
Perimeter	99% contained
Burned area	3,700 acres (1,500 ha)
Impacts
Deaths	0
Non-fatal injuries	0
Evacuated	8,000
Structures destroyed	56 residential, 91 secondary, 18 minor
Damage	About $9 million in suppression efforts (2025 USD)
Ignition
Cause	Allegedly: Sparks from a Union Pacific Railroad train. Officially: Human-caused

The Rowena Fire is a wildfire burning near Rowena and The Dalles, Oregon. The fire allegedly^[a] ignited from sparks from a Union Pacific Railroad train that ignited brush below around 1:30 P.M. June 11, 2025. The fire quickly spread to 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) that day. Governor Tina Kotek issued an Emergency Conflagration Act, enabling extra resources to fight the fire, and a state of emergency. The fire engulfed 56 residential, 91 secondary, and 18 minor structures. About 8,000 residents were under evacuation notices.

The Rowena Fire rapidly spread from extremely low fuel moistures and strong winds that topped 30 miles (48 km) per hour, and burned in uphill terrain. The fire closed portions of Interstate 84 and U.S. Route 30. As of June 28, the fire is 99% contained.

Background

The Rowena Fire was fueled by record-low fuel moistures and strong, gusty winds around 30 miles (48 km) per hour. The fire ignited in quick, steep upwards terrain that moved east towards The Dalles.^[1] A wet winter resulted in a rapid growth of fire fuels, which quickly dried out under hot and dry conditions. Despite none of being Oregon under drought or abnormal dryness for the first time since 2019 just recently, April, May, and June were warmer and drier than average, leading to quick evaporation.^[2]

Cause

The Rowena Fire started on June 11, 2025 near milepost 76.05 on the Union Pacific Railroad's Portland Division. Victims of the fire allege that a break improperly set or released, causing sparking and "superheated particles".^[3] It was reported "several eyewitnesses" had seen sparks coming from the train.^[4] Officially, lightning has been ruled out as the cause. The Oregon Department of Forestry has said the fire is likely human-caused, and no federal agencies have announced sparks from a train as a possible cause.^[5] Union Pacific is also internally investigating.^[4]

Progression

The Rowena Fire was first reported at 1:38 P.M. on June 11 near milepost 78 of Interstate 84, and evacuations had already been issued in Rowena.^[6] Interstate 84 was closed between Mosier and The Dalles, and shortly after 4:00 P.M., Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act.^[7] The fire was "aggressively burning" on June 12, already at a size of 3,500 acres (1,400 ha).^[1] Despite high winds (from 20–30 miles (32–48 km) per hour) that posed as a challenge to firefighting efforts, there was little growth on the fire, now reported at 3,831 acres (1,550 ha).^[8] Interstate 84 had reopened.^[9]

Firefighters focused on removing "hazard trees" along Interstate 84 and U.S. Route 30 on June 14.^[10] The fire was now 5% contained with 484 personnel combating the Rowena Fire, and there were slightly weaker winds.^[11] The focus was now patrolling the fire's perimeter and mop-up operations.^[12] Firing operations took place on the southwestern edge of the fire on June 15, removing unburned vegetation and fire fuel. Additionally, members from the Oregon State Fire Marshal assessed the burned area and determined 56 residential and 91 other structures were destroyed.^[13] Progress on the fire was significant, and containment jumped to 37% and all Level 3 "Go Now" evacuation orders had been lowered to Level 2 "Set" evacuations.^[14]

Strong, gusty winds towards the southeast of the fire halted the removal of hazard trees due to safety concerns.^[15] Despite the Rowena Fire seeing "improvement", it was still significantly burning. It was now determined the fire was human-caused. Some houses were still under Level 3 evacuation orders from remaining hazards from falling trees and rockslides.^[16] Even more progress had been made, the fire now at 53% containment, and several fire crews were demobilized to their home district or assigned to other fires.^[17] The fire was 96% contained by June 24, and management was transitioned to local resources. The Temporary Flight Restriction had been lifted, and all evacuation notices had been lifted.^[18] Rain helped suppression efforts, and U.S. Route 30 had reopened to local traffic.^[3]

As of June 27, the Rowena Fire remains 99% contained. The containment number was achieved "quick[ly] for fires like [the Rowena Fire]".^[19]

Effects

The Rowena Fire's severity led to Governor Tina Kotek to issue a state of emergency.^[20]

Damage

The Rowena Fire destroyed 56 residential, 91 secondary, and 18 minor structures in and near Rowena and The Dalles.^[13]^[3] Critical infrastructure was also severely damaged.^[20] The area and structures near the fire were considered hazardous because of unstable structures, toxic ash, and sharp metal.^[19] The fire destroyed the Fulton-Taylor House. Nearby, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center & Museum sustained no damage, but had to evacuate four raptors to the Sunriver Nature Center.^[21]^[22]

Suppression efforts cost about $9 million (2025 USD).^[3]

Closures and evacuations

About 8,000 residents were under some kind of evacuation notice, including 1,400 under Level 3 Go Now evacuation orders.^[23]

Interstate 84 was closed from mileposts 62 - 82.^[7] U.S. Route 30 was closed in the same area.^[24] There was a temporary flight restriction 6,500 feet (2,000 m) above the fire.^[25]

Environmental impacts

Residents in the Rowena Crest Manor were advised to drink and cook with bottled water because parts of the water system lost pressure, so harmful contaminants from burned structures could have entered the Tooley Water District.^[19]

Legal proceedings

In a lawsuit, a couple affected by the Rowena Fire allege that a Union Pacific Railroad train sending off sparks that ignited brush caused the Rowena Fire. "Several eyewitnesses" saw "superheated particles" emitted from the train, and flames sparked in nearby brush and vegetation. A California based attorney interviewed witness and reviewed social media posts related to the fire. The couple is suing for "property loss, emotional distress, lost wages, and evacuation costs" (seeking double damages for economic losses under a state law) and argue Union Pacific violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act and the Locomotive Inspection Act. They argue that Union Pacific operated their trains with dry and overgrown vegetation on and next to the tracks, failing to maintain them and listen to extreme fire warnings. Additionally, they say the railroad company lacked fire response and preparation procedures.^[4]^[26]

Growth and containment table

Date

Area burned

Personnel

Containment

Ref.

June 12

3,500 acres (1,400 ha; 14 km²)

Not specified

0%

^[1]

June 13

3,831 acres (1,550 ha; 15.50 km²)

453

0%

^[27]

June 14

3,858 acres (1,561 ha; 15.61 km²)

592

10%

^[28]

June 15

3,636 acres (1,471 ha; 14.71 km²)

726

24%

^[29]

June 16

3,570 acres (1,440 ha; 14.4 km²)

668

37%

^[30]

June 17

3,570 acres (1,440 ha; 14.4 km²)

668

37%

^[31]

June 18

3,700 acres (1,500 ha; 15 km²)

588

53%

^[32]

. . .

June 24