One Year Ago: The Lane 1 Fire and Our Valley’s Resilience
A year ago, the serene forests of the Row River Valley were shaken by the rapid spread of the Lane 1 Fire by an unpredictable lightning-sparked blaze that ignited a patchwork of flames across steep terrain and dense timber. Despite the dangerous conditions, our community and firefighting teams demonstrated remarkable bravery and coordination.
By early August 2024, the fire had ripped through thousands of acres just southeast of Dorena. Evacuation alerts rang out across Disston, the Bohemia Mining District, and Fairview Peak- some under “Go Now” orders, while others urged to be “Ready” for possible evacuation. At its peak, the fire towered into the sky, blanketing our valley in smoke and fear.
Above is a map of donated property on Row River Road. The star represents the location of the future central fire station. The Row River Valley Community Partnership continues to work through this lengthy process with county, state, and federal governments.
For questions on how you can get involved, please email: programs@rowrivervalley.org
Fire crews battled the blaze with every tool at their disposal, working handlines carved into hillsides, controlled burns to slow its spread, and tireless patrols under punishing conditions. More than 1,300 personnel were deployed, racing to contain the fire before it could reach homes, roads, or the cohesive community we cherish.
Today, the Lane 1 Fire is fully contained, but its scars remain etched into the landscape and into our memory. That harrowing chapter reminds us how vulnerable our remote, beautiful region can be, and how vital preparedness truly is.
At RRVCP, we’ve taken those lessons to heart. Over the past year, our Neighborhood Teams initiative has strengthened local wildfire readiness; defensible space projects now dot the valley; and momentum toward building our new fire station has never been stronger.
The Lane 1 Fire tested us. Together, we emerged more connected, more determined, and more prepared. That legacy of resilience is ours to carry forward.
Chris Pietsch/The Register-Guard
