Residents in the area of the 2022 Vitae Springs Fire said at the time that evacuation alerts left them confused and uncertain about conditions. City officials say now they have improved their emergency messaging system since the southwest Salem fire to provide quicker and clearer public information.
Tag: WILDFIRES
Salem area wineries sue Pacific Power over Labor Day fires
Willamette Valley Vineyards has filed an $8.1 million lawsuit against Pacific Power, saying that the utility company’s decision to leave power on during high winds sparked additional fires and damaged vineyards during the 2020 Labor Day fires.
Uncategorized Santiam Canyon wildfire survivors face chronic stress, trauma amid uncertainty about future
Two burned homes on each side of the North Santiam River at Gates show the potential for household and agricultural pollutants to flow into the river, a major source of Salem’s drinking water. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Over a year after the Beachie Creek and Lionshead fires burned through the Santiam[Read More…]
California nonprofit brings wildfire recovery experience to Santiam Canyon
Wildfire in 2020 left damage all throughout the Santiam Canyon east of Salem. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Over the next few years, a Northern California-based nonprofit will work to get local officials and organizations connected with grant funds to aid survivors of the 2020 Santiam Canyon wildfires. Jennifer Gray Thompson, CEO[Read More…]
Uncategorized PHOTOS: Drone images capture fire destruction in Santiam Canyon
The Marion Forks Hatchery and Oregon Highway 22 as seen on Oct. 14 following massive wildfires (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Marion County Commissioners voted Oct. 14 to waive building and septic permitting fees for homeowners rebuilding following wildfires in the Santiam Canyon. The announcement comes after a similar decision by Linn[Read More…]
Uncategorized After clearing 30,000 trees, crews reopen Highway 22 following wildfires
A sign along Highway 22 thanks firefighters on Sunday, September 20. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Oregon Highway 22 reopened to thru traffic Tuesday night more than a month after wildfire swept through the Santiam Canyon, leaving roads strewn with trees and debris. Crews with the Oregon Department of Transportation cleared an[Read More…]
Uncategorized Wildfire victims face challenges finding housing in tight market
Smoke curls from fire still burning within view of the North Santiam River. The north side of the river was badly damaged by wildfires but large areas of the south side largely escaped. (Ron Cooper/Salem Reporter) Federal and local agencies are facing bureaucratic and logistical challenges as well as a[Read More…]
Uncategorized VIDEO: Mountain top video captures ferocity of Beachie Creek Fire
An image from a video taken on top of a mountain ridge near Detroit on Sept. 8, 2020, shows the Beachie Creek Fire as it burns out of control. (Oregon Department of Transportation video) On the night of Monday, Sept. 7, the Beachie Creek Fire exploded as winds up to[Read More…]
In wake of wildfires, concerns arise that tax relief for Santiam Canyon property owners will be too little and too late
Myron Shenk, of Albany, leans on the frame of a destroyed bunk bed at the remains of a weekend home he shared with his wife in Detroit on Saturday, Sept. 27. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) On top of badly damaged or destroyed homes and businesses from last month’s wildfires, property owners[Read More…]
AROUND OREGON: Baby Yoda brings smiles to Oregon firefighters on the front lines
Oregon firefighters spend some quality time with Baby Yoda, donated by five-year-old Scappoose resident Carver. (Courtesy photo) Baby Yoda may be most famous as a resident of a galaxy far, far away, but he’s now supporting those on the frontlines of Oregon’s wildfires. After being donated to a supply drive[Read More…]
