State parks evacuated, shut down as wildfires burn in northern Oregon

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department shut down parks and implemented fresh fire bans as

wildfires burned

across northern Oregon

on Thursday.

State park officials shut down Mayer State Park and the Rowena Crest Viewpoint due to the

Rowena fire

burning in the Columbia River Gorge, and evacuated Cottonwood Canyon State Park because of the Ferry fire burning outside Wasco, about 42 miles to the east.

As of Thursday afternoon, the Rowena fire

had grown to 3,500 acres

, while the Ferry fire stood at 5,000 acres. Both fires started near beloved state park sites.

State parks spokesperson Stefanie Knowlton said people have been showing up at the parks to watch the fires, despite the closures.

“They might think that it’s harmless, but it actually puts themselves and firefighters in a dangerous situation,” she said.

Some of the park sites are popular in their own right. The

Rowena Crest Viewpoint

is known for its spectacular blooms of wildflowers over sweeping Columbia River views, drawing throngs of visitors every spring. The state park land is adjacent to

the Tom McCall Nature Preserve

, which is managed by nonprofit The Nature Conservancy.

Mayer State Park

, just east of Rowena Crest, is popular among windsurfers, as well as boaters and swimmers. In addition to the closure, Mayer State Park is also under a new campfire and open flame ban, effective Thursday. The ban is also in effect at neighboring Viento, Starvation Creek and Memaloose state parks. Memaloose initially shut down due to the Rowena fire but was back open Thursday.

Cottonwood Canyon State Park

, a well-loved but little-visited park site in the high desert hills around the John Day River, was evacuated and closed to the public Wednesday as the Ferry fire began to spread toward the park’s visitor center and campground. The state park department had no updates on the status of the park.

The Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday that the fire had shut down Oregon 206 between Condon and Wasco, as local residents faced a Level 2 (be set) evacuation order. Power company crews were also shutting off parts of the power grid in the area, the sheriff’s office said.

Anyone visiting an Oregon state park during fire season can check the current open status of a park online at

stateparks.oregon.gov

, where park officials keep a running list of active park notices.

“That list has grown quite a bit today and will continue to grow,” Knowlton said.

Wildfires

‘Dread’ in The Dalles as fire threatens beloved Columbia Gorge museum
Oregon fire season already ‘feels like July’ as firefighters battle growing Rowena blaze
Where is Rowena, Oregon?
Firefighters make progress on 750-acre fire in central Oregon
Fire near Rowena spreads, destroying unknown number of homes, as I-84 reopens