Category Fire
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…
Overnight rains bring relief for firefighters and Salem residents
Firefighters pick up the remains of a destroyed fire command at the Gates Elementary School on Wednesday, September 9. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Rains that fell in western Oregon starting Thursday night brought relief to fire crews battling the Beachie Creek Fire and Willamette Valley residents…
AROUND OREGON: They packed and waited for signal to flee Beachie Creek fire. Their bodies were found days later
A destroyed historic egg hatchery on the property of Michael and Lori Chauran in Mehama on Wednesday, September 9. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Travis Cook heard about wildfires spreading about 10 miles from his mother’s home in rural Marion County. That was Labor Day. He called…
Weather forecast could spell relief for firefighting, but recovery will be a long haul
Gov. Kate Brown talks with a fire commander in the Santiam Canyon on Thursday, Sept. 17. (Office of Gov. Kate Brown photo) Residents of communities in the fire-ravaged Santiam Canyon may soon have limited access to their homes. Firefighters are optimistic that the rainy weather…
A run for his life: Retired Keizer teacher escapes blaze in swimsuit, T-shirt
Scott Torgeson, who taught Keizer students for more than 30 years, is undergoing multiple surgeries after sustaining burns to 20 percent of his body. After spending Labor Day kayaking on Detroit Lake with members of his family, former Clear Lake and Forest Ridge Elementary teacher…
UPDATE: Now a new threat: Possible flash floods in Santiam fire zone
Gov. Kate Brown reviews fire damage in the Santiam Canyon on Thursday, Sept. 17, after she received a briefing from fire officials. (Office of Gov. Kate Brown photo) UPDATE 11 a.m. Thursday: The Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries warned people to be alert…
Two additional victims identified in Beachie Creek Fire
A melted sign on Jennie Road in Mehama on Wednesday, September 9. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Two additional victims of the Beachie Creek Fire were identified Tuesday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday. Justin Cook, 41, and Cathy Cook, 71, both of Lyons, were found…
Crews make progress on fire, but Salem expected to see smoke until at least later this week
Teams from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Oregon National Guard staff a roadblock on Friday, Sept.11, to prevent unauthorized access to closed fire areas. (Marion County Sheriff’s Office photo) Smoke is expected to stay around the Salem area until later this week as…
FIRE UPDATE: Fire largely checked on west side, property owners can have police check canyon homes
Oregon Highway 22 will be closed until authorities can deal with burned trees along the Santiam Canyon as well as damaged guardrails and pavement. (Oregon Department of Transportation photo) Here is the latest information regarding the Beachie Creek Fire: FIRE CONDITIONS The fire grew little…