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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

 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…

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…