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 cooped up because of the smoke filled sky.
According to the National Weather Service, Salem saw light rains Thursday night with less than an inch of precipitation. Cooler temperatures with more humidity are expected over the weekend.
The rain was enough to decrease the intensity of the Beachie Creek Fire, allowing firefighters to continue building containment lines around the blaze that’s now at 192,012 acres and 20% contained.
Fire crews are also keeping an eye out for the risks of landslides, flooding or trees falling because of the rain.
On Friday, the Oregon Department of Transportation opened a 4-mile section of Highway 22 between Gates and Mill City that had previously been closed. The rest of the highway, including Detroit, remains closed.
The department estimates that tens of thousands of trees damaged by fires and posing hazards will need to be removed.
“We are monitoring potential landslide area and fire damaged trees, and will continue to do so over the coming weeks and months,” Cole Mullis, the department’s District 3 operations manager, said in a statement. “Please be patient. We are working to get our state routes open as soon as it is safe to do so.”
The department recommends using Tripcheck.com or calling 5-1-1 for information on road conditions.
The rains also brought improvements to Salem’s air quality. It’s now rated as “unhealthy for sensitive groups,” down from “unhealthy” and “hazardous” ratings seen for over a week because of wildfire smoke.
The air has improved enough for the Salem Saturday Market to reopen on Sept. 19 for residents to buy fresh produce and other items. The market will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 865 Marion Street S.E.
Front Street Station, located at 860 Front Street N., will also hold a fundraiser on Saturday for the Detroit community from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. that will feature live music from EDGE.
Contact reporter Jake Thomas at 503-575-1251 or [email protected] or @jakethomas2009.
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