Mike Pomeroy, center, the power plant operator who sheltered inside Detroit Dam during the Santiam Canyon wildfires, was presented a Medal of Valor on Feb. 15 by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Courtesy/U.S. Army)
The dam operator who spent a night alone inside Detroit Dam as the Santiam Canyon wildfires raged around him was awarded a Medal of Valor for his bravery.
Mike Pomeroy received the award from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on Feb. 15 at Foster Dam in Sweet Home, where he now works.
Pomeroy was on an overnight shift alone at the dam in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020, when fire raced through the canyon. Around 5 a.m., he shut off fans drawing air inside because of heavy smoke. Soon after, he tried to evacuate but had to turn back because of embers, smoke and fire along the road.
Pomeroy lost radio and phone contact with the agency at 6:24 a.m. and ultimately spent 30 hours inside the dam alone. He was rescued Wednesday morning.
“While there’s a tragic side to it to be sure, I kind of thought it was a humanitarian victory over the fire because of how everybody responded,” Pomeroy said in an Army Corps video recorded on the one-year anniversary of the fire. He said having his sleeping bag, food and other emergency essentials helped him be prepared.
“Mr. Pomeroy’s professionalism, dedication to the mission and selfless service reflect great credit upon himself, the Portland District, the Northwestern Division, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of the Army,” the award citation read.
-Rachel Alexander
