Evacuation levels reduced as crews wrangle Rowena Fire
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Level 3 "Go" evacuations were reduced to Level 2 "Get Set" Friday afternoon as a wildfire burned west of The Dalles.
Authorities said the Rowena Fire started shortly after 10 a.m. as three separate fires about half a mile apart between the railroad tracks and Interstate 84 near Mayer State Park. Highway 30 was temporarily closed between mileposts 66 and 72 as crews battled the flames. Smoke from the fires shut down a stretch of Interstate 84 but all eastbound lanes and one westbound lane have since reopened.
The Level 3 evacuation notice from 5220 Hwy 30 West to 6090 Hwy 30 West was reduced by 4 p.m. and residents could return to their homes. Rowena to Simmonelli Road is under a Level 2 "Get Set" evacuation notice at this time.
The fire burned roughly 10 to 12 acres before crews were able to stop its forward progress, the Oregon Department of Forestry said at about 1:30 p.m. Firefighters were working to continue securing a perimeter around the fire and mop-up within the interior at that time.
Rick Fletcher with ODF said the fire stayed on the north side of I-84, which was crucial.
"What really did the ticket and what kept it from jumping the freeway were the fire bosses that are on legislative money given to ODF to bring assets through June 30. If we did not have those assets on this fire, it would have been a very different story," he said.
It's unclear at this time how the Rowena Fire started but an investigation will be carried out.
Meanwhile, the S-503 Fire on the Warm Springs Reservation is currently at 50% containment after burning more than 6,600 acres, or just over 10 square miles, for several days now.
This is a developing story and will be updated.