Marion County deputy prowls remote roads in race to evacuate campers as firestorm approaches
Sgt. Matt Wilkinson of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, stands in front of a map of the Beachie Creek Fire at the fire command at Chemeketa Community College on Thursday, Sept. 17. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Seven hours had passed since Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Wilkinson first laid eyes on a blaze that would consume most of the Santiam Canyon.
Over a police radio channel, Marion County sheriff’s deputies could hear change in Wilkinson’s voice.
In the…
