Date: 08/07/2014 03:04 AM
AP-Oregon Wildfires/301
275 households told to flee Oregon wildfire
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) – Residents in about 275 homes in the Columbia River Gorge community of Rowena are being told to evacuate ahead of a wildfire that’s being fed by gusty winds.
The Oregon town is about 75 miles east of Portland. Residents in nearby Dalles also are being told to get ready to leave.
The communities are just a few miles from the blaze that quickly spread to about 200 acres on Tuesday and grew even more on Wednesday.
Fire officials say no homes have burned as of Wednesday evening, and firefighters plan to work through the night to protect structures.
Winds have calmed down a bit. Fire officials say winds were gusting to more than 30 mph during the day Wednesday, as helicopters dropped water on the blaze. Now winds are blowing at about 15 mph.
