Update 9/8/2020 @ 0320 am
Deputies from the Marion County Sheriff’s Office have been working extensively as part of a coordinated effort to evacuate areas in the Santiam Canyon spanning from Mehama east to Idanha. The Level 3 – “Go” evacuation notices were the result of significant fire activity in the area. Conditions in the Santiam Canyon east of Mehama have become extremely dangerous and all residents who have not yet evacuated need to do so immediately.
Sheriff Joe Kast said, “We care deeply about the safety of all of our community members. The extreme fire activity in the area poses an imminent danger to anyone who chooses to remain in the evacuated area. Our deputies are committed to helping keep our community safe; however, conditions have become too dangerous for them to continue with evacuation efforts at this time. I encourage anyone still in the Santiam Canyon to leave immediately following the deputies out of the area. I cannot say when the conditions will allow deputies and other emergency responders to return to the area to render assistance. Please leave now.”
Marion County Emergency Management has coordinated with the American Red Cross to open an evacuation staging area at the Oregon State Fairgrounds, located at 2330 17th St NE, Salem, Oregon. A second evacuation staging area was established at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds. An information line has been established at 503-391-7294.
Update 9/8/2020 @ 2:05 am
All people evacuating the Santiam Canyon area, including from the Detroit and Idanha area are being asked to go WEST on Highway 22 toward Salem. Highway 22 at Mile Post 59 is blocked and not currently passable.
Marion County Emergency Management and the American Red Cross have established an evacuation staging area at the Oregon State Fairgrounds located at 2330 17th St SE, Salem, OR. An information line for impacted residents is being established by Marion County Emergency Management at 503-391-7294.
Update 9/8/20 at 1:00 am
The Level 3 evacuation in Marion County remains in effect and has been expanded to include the Idanha community. Due to hazards in the roadway, residents evacuating from the Detroit and Idanha area are encouraged to go east to Santiam Junction.
Marion County Emergency Management is establishing an evacuation staging area in coordination with the American Red Cross. Once the site has been established that information will be released.
The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has issued a Level 3 – “Go” Evacuation notice to residents in the Santiam Canyon from the community of Mehama east to Detroit including Mill City, Gates, Detroit, and the North Fork corridor. Residents are being urged leave the area immediately. We have requested Highway 22 be closed eastbound from Stayton to Santiam Junction to allow evacuees and fire personnel clear passage.
An information line for impacted residents is being established by Marion County Emergency Management at 503-391-7294. Closure updates will be posted to Marion County Sheriff’s Office social media sites as they become available.
