A fire that started in Rowena, Oregon, on Wednesday has since grown to more than 3,800 acres. By Friday morning, the fire had destroyed 20 homes and was threatening 827 more, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center.

More than 8,000 nearby residents were under some sort of evacuation order. About 1,400 of those people were under Level 3: Go Now! orders as of Friday morning.

The Rowena Fire has been burning aggressively along the Columbia River Gorge, between Rowena and The Dalles, fueled by low ground moisture and gusty winds.

The perimeter of the fire was still listed at 0% containment Friday. Investigators said Thursday that the fire was human-caused.

Rowena Fire grows to 3,500 acres; investigators say it was human-caused

Meanwhile a fire that started Thursday about 50 miles southeast of the Rowena Fire, along the John Day River in Sherman County, has grown to more than 9,000 acres.

The Ferry Fire has spurred more evacuations and evacuation warnings. It’s threatening 50 homes.

It has also prompted the closure of the John Day River at Cottonwood Canyon State Park. And on Friday morning, the Bureau of Land Management closed all its lands within a 2-mile radius of the river, from Ferry Canyon to Interstate 84.

The perimeter of the Ferry Fire was listed at 5% containment Friday morning.

Investigators have not yet determined how it started.

Resources: Stay safe and informed during wildfire season with OPB’s wildfire guide at opb.org/wildfires. This resource offers essential safety tips and preparedness guidance to help you navigate fire and smoke events. This resource was created as part of our commitment to serving the public as wildfire seasons become longer and more dangerous.

News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2025/06/13/oregon-wildfires-rowena-fire-ferry-fire/