Out-of-control Oregon wildfire forces evacuations and highway closures as gusty winds challenge firefighters
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.
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