Category Fire
Wildfire victims face challenges finding housing in tight market
Smoke curls from fire still burning within view of the North Santiam River. The north side of the river was badly damaged by wildfires but large areas of the south side largely escaped. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Federal and local agencies are facing bureaucratic and logistical…
VIDEO: Mountain top video captures ferocity of Beachie Creek Fire
An image from a video taken on top of a mountain ridge near Detroit on Sept. 8, 2020, shows the Beachie Creek Fire as it burns out of control. (Oregon Department of Transportation video) On the night of Monday, Sept. 7, the Beachie Creek Fire…
In wake of wildfires, concerns arise that tax relief for Santiam Canyon property owners will be too little and too late
Myron Shenk, of Albany, leans on the frame of a destroyed bunk bed at the remains of a weekend home he shared with his wife in Detroit on Saturday, Sept. 27. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) On top of badly damaged or destroyed homes and businesses from…
AROUND OREGON: Baby Yoda brings smiles to Oregon firefighters on the front lines
Oregon firefighters spend some quality time with Baby Yoda, donated by five-year-old Scappoose resident Carver. (Courtesy photo) Baby Yoda may be most famous as a resident of a galaxy far, far away, but he’s now supporting those on the frontlines of Oregon’s wildfires. After being…
With wildfire funds and dedicated volunteers, Santiam and Salem groups prepare for long-term recovery help
Red Cross volunteers pass out meals and supplies outside of Gates on Sunday, September 20. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The Oregon State Fairgrounds are empty of livestock evacuated from wildfires, and a nearby warehouse that served as a donation center for evacuees has been cleared out.…
Was your life disrupted by the wildfires? You can still get your ballot
Ballots wait to be processed at the Marion County Elections Office on Tuesday, May 19. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) With the ballots for the November election set to go out in a matter of weeks, it’s a busy time at the Marion County clerk’s office.…
Marion County turns its attention to cleaning up debris as Santiam Canyon residents turn home. But the cleanup won’t be quick
A coffee mug rests in the ashes of a home owned by Ken Cartwright in Gates on Sunday, September 20. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) After meeting with federal officials Tuesday about efforts to clean up the fire-ravaged Santiam Canyon, Marion County Sam Brentano was left with…
PHOTOS: In Gates, resilience and loss as residents return
Letters inside of a melted mailbox in Gates on Sunday, September 20. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The north bank of the Santiam River one block from Gates City Hall was still smoking Sunday as families returned to town. Gates was among the Santiam Canyon communities hit…
More roads open as fire crews contain more Beachie Creek Fire
Burned trees crest the ridge north of Highway 22 outside of Mill City on Sunday, September 20. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Fire crews have reported progress on containing the Beachie Creek Fire’s western edge and more areas have had evacuation orders lifted. The Marion County Sheriff’s…