Latest news with #MarianaRuiz-Temple
Nahar Net
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Nahar Net
Oregon wildfire prompts evacuations and closes interstate in Columbia River Gorge
by Naharnet Newsdesk 12 June 2025, 16:51 A wildfire in Oregon prompted officials to issue evacuation orders for hundreds of homes and to close nearly 20 miles (32 kilometers) of an interstate in the Columbia River Gorge on Wednesday. Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the state's Emergency Conflagration Act for the Rowena Fire, allowing the state fire marshal agency to mobilize resources, it said in a statement. The agency said it was mobilizing an incident management team and six structural task forces, with three responding Wednesday night and the other three arriving early Thursday. "This early season conflagration should come as a reminder to Oregonians to be ready for wildfire," State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. The Oregon Department of Transportation said Interstate 84 was closed between Hood River and The Dalles. Hood River, a popular tourist destination about 55 miles (90 kilometers) east of Portland, is home to some 8,000 people, and more than 15,000 people live in The Dalles farther east. Residents of more than 700 homes were ordered to evacuate in an area stretching northwest of The Dalles along I-84 and farther inland, according to the Wasco County Sheriff's Office. Residents of more than 1,300 homes were told to prepare to leave, including in part of the town's northern end. A middle school in The Dalles was set up as a temporary shelter, while the county fairgrounds opened as a shelter for livestock and horses, the sheriff's office said. Photos shared by the transportation department showed flames burning alongside and in the median of I-84 as wind gusts fanned the smoke. A water helicopter and a plane dropping fire retardant helped fight the fire, which broke out Wednesday. Department spokesperson David House said in an email that the interstate will be closed indefinitely "due not only to the wildfires but also due to the extreme danger of driving in smoke." Washington state's transportation department said a separate brush fire resulted in the closure of 8 miles (13 kilometers) of State Route 14, which also runs along the Columbia River. Authorities urged people traveling in the area to use alternate routes.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Out-of-control Oregon wildfire forces evacuations and highway closures as gusty winds challenge firefighters
A wildfire burning out of control in Oregon, near the state's border with Washington, has forced hundreds of evacuations and closures of major roadways as gusty winds threaten further spread and challenge firefighting crews. The Rowena Fire has burned 2,500 acres since it ignited on Wednesday afternoon in Wasco County, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal. It's 0% contained as of early Thursday morning. More than 800 homes were under evacuation orders in part of northern Wasco County Wednesday night, CNN affiliate KATU reported. An additional 2,500 homes were under evacuation warnings or advisories urging residents to be ready to evacuate soon – including parts of The Dalles, the county's largest city and home to about 15,000 people. Interstate 84 was shut down in both directions for nearly 20 miles on Wednesday evening but reopened early Thursday morning, with travelers urged to use caution, according to the Oregon Department of Transportation. Nearby US-30 remained closed in both directions for about 10 miles Thursday morning. Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act on Wednesday afternoon, allowing the state's fire marshal to mobilize resources to help combat the fire, according to a news release. 'This early season conflagration should come as a reminder to Oregonians to be ready for wildfire,' State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said in the release. 'The predictions for this summer are extremely concerning. I am asking everyone to take that extra minute to mindful of the conditions and remember it takes a single spark to ignite a disaster.' Oregon and the Pacific Northwest baked under intense heat this week that dried out soil and left vegetation vulnerable to fire start and spread. The high temperature hit triple digits in The Dalles on both Sunday and Monday – Monday's high of 101 degrees Fahrenheit broke a record for the date that had stood since 1955. Windy conditions on Wednesday, with gusts of 30 to 40 mph, fanned the flames once the Rowena Fire sparked in the afternoon. Wind will pose a continued challenge for fire crews Thursday. Gusts of 10 to 15 mph in the morning will increase to 15 to 25 mph in the afternoon, and a few gusts past 30 mph are possible. Winds will remain gusty at times through Friday and no rain is expected into at least early next week. CNN's David Williams contributed to this report.
Arab Times
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Arab Times
Oregon wildfire prompts evacuations and closes interstate in Columbia River Gorge
THE DALLES, Ore, June 12, (AP): A wildfire in Oregon prompted officials to issue evacuation orders for hundreds of homes and to close nearly 20 miles (32 kilometers) of an interstate in the Columbia River Gorge on Wednesday. Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the state's Emergency Conflagration Act for the Rowena Fire, allowing the state fire marshal agency to mobilize resources, it said in a statement. The agency said it was mobilizing an incident management team and six structural task forces, with three responding Wednesday night and the other three arriving early Thursday. "This early season conflagration should come as a reminder to Oregonians to be ready for wildfire,' State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. The Oregon Department of Transportation said Interstate 84 was closed between Hood River and The Dalles. Hood River, a popular tourist destination about 55 miles (90 kilometers) east of Portland, is home to some 8,000 people, and more than 15,000 people live in The Dalles farther east. Residents of more than 700 homes were ordered to evacuate in an area stretching northwest of The Dalles along I-84 and farther inland, according to the Wasco County Sheriff's Office. Residents of more than 1,300 homes were told to prepare to leave, including in part of the town's northern end. A middle school in The Dalles was set up as a temporary shelter, while the county fairgrounds opened as a shelter for livestock and horses, the sheriff's office said. Photos shared by the transportation department showed flames burning alongside and in the median of I-84 as wind gusts fanned the smoke. A water helicopter and a plane dropping fire retardant helped fight the fire, which broke out Wednesday. Department spokesperson David House said in an email that the interstate will be closed indefinitely "due not only to the wildfires but also due to the extreme danger of driving in smoke.' Washington state's transportation department said a separate brush fire resulted in the closure of 8 miles (13 kilometers) of State Route 14, which also runs along the Columbia River. Authorities urged people traveling in the area to use alternate routes.
12-06-2025
- Climate
Oregon wildfire prompts evacuations and closes interstate in Columbia River Gorge
THE DALLES, Ore. -- A wildfire in Oregon prompted officials to issue evacuation orders for hundreds of homes and to close nearly 20 miles (32 kilometers) of an interstate in the Columbia River Gorge on Wednesday. Gov. Tina Kotek invoked the state's Emergency Conflagration Act for the Rowena Fire, allowing the state fire marshal agency to mobilize resources, it said in a statement. The agency said it was mobilizing an incident management team and six structural task forces, with three responding Wednesday night and the other three arriving early Thursday. 'This early season conflagration should come as a reminder to Oregonians to be ready for wildfire,' State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. The Oregon Department of Transportation said Interstate 84 was closed between Hood River and The Dalles. Hood River, a popular tourist destination about 55 miles (90 kilometers) east of Portland, is home to some 8,000 people, and more than 15,000 people live in The Dalles farther east. Residents of more than 700 homes were ordered to evacuate in an area stretching northwest of The Dalles along I-84 and farther inland, according to the Wasco County Sheriff's Office. Residents of more than 1,300 homes were told to prepare to leave, including in part of the town's northern end. A middle school in The Dalles was set up as a temporary shelter, while the county fairgrounds opened as a shelter for livestock and horses, the sheriff's office said. Photos shared by the transportation department showed flames burning alongside and in the median of I-84 as wind gusts fanned the smoke. A water helicopter and a plane dropping fire retardant helped fight the fire, which broke out Wednesday. Department spokesperson David House said in an email that the interstate will be closed indefinitely 'due not only to the wildfires but also due to the extreme danger of driving in smoke.' Washington state's transportation department said a separate brush fire resulted in the closure of 8 miles (13 kilometers) of State Route 14, which also runs along the Columbia River.
Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
Wildfire in US' Oregon prompts emergency evacuation, closes 20 miles of interstate in Columbia River Gorge
A raging wildfire in the US state of Oregon has prompted officials to order emergency evacuation for hundreds of homes and close an interstate of 20 miles (32 kilometers) in the Columbia River Gorge on Wednesday, Associated Press reported. Deeming the situation as alarming, Governor Tina Kotek invoked Emergency Conflagration Act for the Rowena Fire, which allowed the state fire marshal agency to mobilize resources to counter the raging wildfire, a statement from the governor's office said. An incident management team and six structural task forces were being mobilized with three ready to respond to the situation on Wednesday night and three others to arrive early on Thursday, according to the fire marshal agency. 'This early season conflagration should come as a reminder to Oregonians to be ready for wildfire,' State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said, reported AP. Interstate 84 was shut between Hood River and The Dalles, informed the Oregon Department of Transportation. Hood River is a popular destination site which houses 8,000 people and is situated about 55 miles (90 kilometers) east of Portland. The Dalles has more than 15,000 residents. The Wasco County Sheriff's Office said residents of more than 700 homes were ordered to evacuate in an area stretching northwest of The Dalles along Interstate-84. Residents of another 1,300 homes were ordered to prepare to leave the town due to the spread of wildfire. A middle school in The Dalles was set up as a temporary shelter and the country fairgrounds housed the livestock and horses as a temporary shelter measure, the sheriff's office said. The transportation department shared photos of the wildfire which showed flames burning alongside and in the median of Interstate-84 as the wind ignited the smoke. The fire, which broke out on Wednesday, was tackled upon by a water helicopter and a plane dropping fire retardant.
