ROWENA, Ore. — A fast-moving wildfire erupted Wednesday afternoon near the iconic Rowena Crest viewpoint in the Columbia River Gorge, forcing urgent Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations in the area.
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office reported the fire shortly after 1:30 p.m., burning dangerously close to the Tom McCall Preserve and Mayer State Park. With smoke blanketing the region, Interstate 84 has been shut down in both directions from Hood River to The Dalles, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation.
UPDATE: I-84 remains closed between Mosier and The Dalles, MP 64-82, due to wildfire. Keep using https://t.co/SsqxkwGpZQ for updates in Oregon.
— OregonDOT (@OregonDOT) June 11, 2025
SR 14 is also affected by wildfire on the Washington side so follow @wsdot for their impacts and closure information. pic.twitter.com/irch7c2RaU
Visibility is extremely poor, and there’s currently no estimate for when the highway will reopen.
An emergency evacuation map shows a Level 3 zone stretching along Highway 30 and Rowena Ferry Road, stopping just short of The Dalles. Evacuation shelters have been set up at The Dalles Middle School and the Gloria Center for anyone in need.
Meanwhile, across the river, another fire has closed State Route 14 near Carson, Washington—essentially blocking traffic through the heart of the Columbia Gorge in both states.
Officials are urging drivers to steer clear of the area and use Highway 20 to Highway 26 as an alternate route. ODOT’s TripCheck website is being updated frequently with the latest closure info.
Fire danger remains high across much of central Oregon and Washington due to strong winds and critically low humidity. The Storm Prediction Center has flagged the Columbia Gorge as an area of elevated risk through at least the next day.
If you're near the Gorge today, stay alert, follow local evacuation notices, and avoid travel through affected areas unless absolutely necessary. And as always, if you have photos or updates to share with the community, we’d love to see them. Stay safe out there, Oregon.
Rowena Fire 1600 update. https://t.co/YqXuQH8ig1
— Wasco County Sheriff's Office (@WascoCoSheriff) June 11, 2025
LEVEL 3 GO NOW! Evacuation from Rowena Ferry Rd. east to River Rd. Seven Mile Hill Rd to Mountain View Dr., south to Chenowith Creek Rd and Browns Creek Rd., east to W 7th St.
LEVEL 2 BE SET Evacuation Snipes, west to Chenoweth…
