Firefighters making progress on Rowena, Ferry Fires
By Griffin Beach on Sunday, June 15th, 2025 in Columbia Basin News Columbia Basin Top Stories Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News Northeastern Oregon Top Stories
OREGON – Firefighters continue to make progress on both the Rowena and Ferry Fires Sunday, with evacuation levels being downgraded in both fires.
The Wasco County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) says that in coordination with Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue and the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management, team members from the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) completed a comprehensive assessment of the fire-affected area.
As of this official count, a total of 56 residential structures and 91 additional structures, including sheds, barns, and shops, were confirmed lost in the Rowena Fire. WCSO did point out that though that there was no loss of life as a result of the fire.
“While the damage is significant, it is important to recognize the extraordinary efforts of the initial firefighting teams and ongoing response personnel. Thanks to their dedication and swift action, many homes were preserved,” said WCSO in a statement.
OSFM resources have begun a gradual demobilization as containment and mitigation work continues around affected residences. Several task forces remain in the area and are actively engaged in patrolling the perimeter, monitoring for hotspots and other potential hazards.
Some evacuations have been downgraded, get up-to-date information here: https://perimetermap.com/wascocounty-or
The Ferry Fire in Sherman County is currently at 65 percent containment and has burned 10,458 acres.
Sherman County Emergency Services says there was slight acreage growth in the fire over the last days, due to interior pockets of unburned fuel that caught fire.
All evacuations in the Ferry Fire have been lifted except for the fire perimeter, which remains a level one for now.
Photo courtesy of Rowena Fire 2025 Facebook page
