Oregon wildfire destroys homes and raises fears for looming fire season

Rowena fire grows to 3,500 acres with evacuation orders issued for hundreds of homes in Columbia River Gorge area

A growing wildfire in Oregon has destroyed multiple homes and prompted evacuation orders in the Columbia River Gorge area, in what officials are calling an early warning of the fire season ahead.

The so-called Rowena fire had grown on Thursday to 3,500 acres and remained 0% contained, prompting officials to issue evacuation orders for hundreds of homes and to temporarily close a section of an interstate highway.