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Rowena Fire resources focus on bolstering containment line 

Rowena, Ore. – Firefighters on the Rowena Fire made steady progress through the night, continuing mop-up operations across the incident. Sunday’s dayshift will pick up where night crews left off, finding hotspots, or areas that are still holding heat or embers that could flare up again in warm, windy conditions. As firefighters extinguish these areas, the line around the fire’s perimeter grows stronger and containment will naturally increase. 

Overnight, firefighters continued prepping two small areas on the fire’s south line that, weather depending, may be tactically burned today to build a stronger containment feature. These operations would be extremely beneficial to overall progress on the incident, as these portions of the line still hold unburned fuel and an increased risk for fire to reignite. If weather conditions allow, these operations will begin in the morning and may put off more smoke than has been recently visible. Firefighters will be prepared with resources in place to safely and sufficiently conduct the operation. 

Additionally, hazard tree removal remains another focus across the fire, especially in areas along I-84 and Highway 30, and around homes. As firefighters remove these trees, it becomes a safer environment for them to work in, as well as a safer place for residents to return to. Structural resources are continuing to slowly demobilize as progress continues and is completed around houses.

The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office still has Level 1, 2 and 3 evacuation levels in place. You can search for specific addresses here: https://perimetermap.com/wascocounty-or

The Red Cross shelter remains open at The Dalles Middle School at 1100 East 12th Street. Livestock and horses can be taken to the Wasco County Fairgrounds at 81849 Fairgrounds Road. 

Firefighters continue to work along I-84, which is open to traffic. When traveling through the area, please be aware of resources working near the road.  

Closures: Due to the fires, Mayer State Park is closed to the public. More information is available here: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index.cfm?do=park.profile&parkId=117

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): A “TFR” is in place at an altitude from the surface up to and including 6500 feet, daily (24 hours) until further notice. Complete information is available at https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr3/?page=detail_5_2600. Flying a drone near or around a wildfire compromises the safety of pilots and interferes with firefighting efforts.