UPDATE: Sunday 11:30 a.m. – The Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced that the evacuation order keeping people out of their homes in the Vitae Springs area was being lifted at noon Sunday, Sept. 11.
“Overnight the fire remained within the existing containment lines and fire crews from numerous regional agencies continue to assist Salem Fire Department crews. The fire is expected to continue to smolder and produce smoke for an extended period,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
“Fire officials will work directly with residents living at properties with fire activity,” the statement said.
The relief center operated at Judson Middle School will close Sunday afternoon.
Authorities said those returning to the heart of the wildfire that broke out Friday afternoon will remain on a Level 2 alert, meaning they will have to be ready to go in a moment’s notice.
Those areas include:
• Vitae Springs Road between South Skyline Road and River Road
• West side of Skyline Road from Vitae Springs Road to South Cole Road
• South Orville Road
• Riversprings Road to Prospect Ridge
A detailed map of the evacuation levels, including a continuing Level 1 for some areas of south Salem, is available online HERE.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Additional firefighters were expected in Salem on Sunday to help mop up the Vitae Springs Fire as evacuation zones remain in place, according to a city statement.
No information was released on when people could return to their homes they had to evacuate Friday.
The city said three 20-person private firefighting crews would move through the fire area, mapped at 124 acres, to extinguish hot spots. They would be joining local firefighters who in some instances had worked 48 hours, the city said.
No structures were destroyed and there have been no injuries, according to the city’s statement.
The red flag warning for east winds was dropped by the National Weather Service, which forecast a high of 85 for Salem Sunday from a high of 90 on Saturday. South winds of 3 to 7 mph were expected with a 20% chance of showers overnight.
THE HELPERS: Agencies responding
Willamette Valley Communications Center
Salem Fire Department
Salem Police Department
Salem Public Works Department
Independence Police Department
Dallas Fire
Polk County Fire District
Polk County Sheriff
Marion County Public Works Department
Marion County Public Health Department
Marion County Fire District 1
Marion County Sheriff
Yamhill Fire
Jefferson Fire
Keizer Fire
Turner Fire
Dayton Fire
Falck Ambulance
Dallas Police
Marion County Search and Rescue
Oregon State Fair
American Red Cross
Salem-Keizer School District
Oregon State Fire Marshal
Oregon State Veterinarian
ANIMALS: Volunteers to the rescue
According to Marion County Emergency Management, 12 dogs, seven cats, 10 rabbits, and one lizard were helped at the school. At the fairgrounds, emergency shelter was provided to one horse, two ducks, two sheep, two alpacas and nine chickens.
Additionally, Acres of Hope youth ranch in Independence took in about 30 horses, according to social media accounts.
MEANTIME: A separate fire
Fire destroyed two homes on west Salem early Saturday and damaged a third, fire officials reported.
The homes were at 1802 Best Rd. N.W., south of Northwest Orchard Heights Road.
Tamara Pugmire lives across the street from the homes and said she was roused by an unusual popping sound.
She said the two rental homes were occupied and that she alerted other neighbors before preparing for her own evacuation. The two homes sit in a grove of trees, she said.
“It was a miracle the firefighters got it out,” she said.
No details about the fire were provided by city officials.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE:
Vitae Springs fire contained, mop up in progress, evacuations remain in place
BREAKING: Brush fire forcing evacuations in south Salem as crews surround the blaze
Contact Editor Les Zaitz: [email protected]
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