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…]
Tag: WILDFIRES
Uncategorized With wildfire funds and dedicated volunteers, Santiam and Salem groups prepare for long-term recovery help
Red Cross volunteers pass out meals and supplies outside of Gates on Sunday, September 20. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) The Oregon State Fairgrounds are empty of livestock evacuated from wildfires, and a nearby warehouse that served as a donation center for evacuees has been cleared out. But Salem and Santiam Canyon[Read More…]
Was your life disrupted by the wildfires? You can still get your ballot
Ballots wait to be processed at the Marion County Elections Office on Tuesday, May 19. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) With the ballots for the November election set to go out in a matter of weeks, it’s a busy time at the Marion County clerk’s office. Clerk Bill Burgess, the county’s[Read More…]
Marion County turns its attention to cleaning up debris as Santiam Canyon residents turn home. But the cleanup won’t be quick
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 a disturbing message: Don’t think[Read More…]
PHOTOS: In Gates, resilience and loss as residents return
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 hard by the Beachie Creek[Read More…]
More roads open as fire crews contain more Beachie Creek Fire
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 Office reopened a portion of[Read More…]
Uncategorized Marion County deputy prowls remote roads in race to evacuate campers as firestorm approaches
Sgt. Matt Wilkinson of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, stands in front of a map of the Beachie Creek Fire at the fire command at Chemeketa Community College on Thursday, Sept. 17. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) Seven hours had passed since Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Wilkinson first laid eyes on a blaze[Read More…]
Overnight rains bring relief for firefighters and Salem residents
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[Read More…]
AROUND OREGON: They packed and waited for signal to flee Beachie Creek fire. Their bodies were found days later
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 that evening. Cathy Cook told[Read More…]
Weather forecast could spell relief for firefighting, but recovery will be a long haul
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 forecast will work to their[Read More…]
