Smoke from wildfires filters the morning sun over the West Salem Shopping Center on Tuesday, Sept. 8. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter)
The wildfire sweeping west out of the Cascades is proving to be horribly destructive and we want help from our readers to accurately report on developments.
The entire news team of Salem Reporter is at work, covering all facets of this situation – the middle-of-the-night evacuation of the small towns along Santiam Canyon, the firefighting efforts, and more.
This is a fast-developing situation. State, county and local authorities have their hands full responding to the disaster, so information is going to be harder than usual to get.
You can help.
If you evacuated from the Santiam Canyon, we want to know how you were alerted, when you evacuated and what you managed to take.
If you have photographs or videos that show the fire, we would appreciate if you share them so we can share with the community.
If you have direct knowledge of buildings – homes, businesses or other structure – that have been burned by the fire, we want to carefully track down and verify such information.
We also will do our very best to answer your questions. What do you want to know about what’s unfolding? What information would be helpful to you and your family?
Reporter Rachel Alexander is focusing on the evacuations and medical care. Reach her at [email protected].
Reporter Jake Thomas is focusing on the firefighting efforts. Reach him at [email protected].
Reporter Saphara Harrell is focusing on the canyon communities – their people and their economy. She is also in touch with local government officials. Reach her at [email protected].
Photographers Amanda Harrell and Ron Cooper also are at work on this major story.
You can also reach out directly to me with your questions, suggestions or information – [email protected].
We’ll provide updated information as warranted on our website and on our social media pages on Facebook and Twitter.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide in reporting to the community on this extraordinary event.
Les Zaitz, editor
Salem Reporter
