275 households told to flee Oregon wildfire

In a Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2014 photo, a wildfire sweeps east from the west end of Rowena, threatening homes in Rowena and on the crest above. Spokesman, Justin de Ruyter, says local fire crews battled through the early morning against the brush and timber fire in Rowena, an unincorporated community of fewer than 200. Residents of seven homes were told to evacuate. With steep terrain, high temperatures and high winds, firefighters are facing a difficult challenge. (AP Photo/The Dalles Chronicle,Mark B. Gibson)

By Associated Press August 7, 2014 3 min read

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – A new wildfire pushed by gusting winds threatens the small Columbia River Gorge community of Rowena, where residents of 275 homes had been told to evacuate as of Wednesday night.

The fire made a run along the river Wednesday evening, fire spokesman Dave Wells said. As the day’s smoke cleared, flames were visible from The Dalles, a city of about 14,000 that is about six miles from the blaze.

An unspecified number of residents in an outlying Dalles neighborhood were also told to be ready to leave if necessary, Wells said.

No homes had burned as of Wednesday night, the spokesman said. Firefighters planned to work through the night protecting structures.

Earlier in the day, five helicopters dropped water on the blaze as winds gusted to more than 30 mph, fire spokesman Justin de Ruyter said. By Wednesday night, the wind was blowing at about 15 mph, Wells said.