City of Salem – 08/24/23 1:00 PM
- The fire is 100% contained with some hot spots, snags, and other hazards remaining. Fire crews will remain on-site to monitor the fire.
- Evacuation Levels are set at Level 2 – Be Set – for those living on Jory Hill Road and Level 1 – Be Ready – for homes south of Davis Road and North of Cole Road, between Liberty and Skyline.
- Everbridge Emergency Alerts went out to more than 600 residents within 1 hour to Salem and Marion County residents whose property borders the fire.
Salem, Ore. — Fire crews from Salem, Marion County, and surrounding communities were able to contain the Liberty fire in south Salem by 8 p.m. Wednesday evening. The fire was first reported at 2:48 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.
More than 100 firefighters and 30 firefighting apparatus were dispatched, including four aircraft. Two structures were damaged, and no other injuries were reported. Representatives from the Salem Fire Department, Oregon State Fire Marshalls, Oregon Department of Forestry, and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office will continue to manage the fire and protect the community. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Fire crews will remain on-site and monitor conditions. Weather reports indicated breezy conditions for Marion County with increased temperatures and low humidity. The incident command urges residents to have a plan in case the fire gets worse and to stay informed by monitoring local and city-wide news channels.
When the fire was first reported, Salem Fire was assisted by multiple fire departments throughout Marion County, including an Emery & Son’s construction crew working on a nearby construction project. The team stopped their work and responded with their tractors and bulldozers, clearing the ground and brush to help cut a fire line protecting the surrounding homes. Their quick and selfless efforts helped keep the fire from spreading further.
“The Marion County Fire Agencies across the county maintain a robust intra-county mutual aid system. This mutual aid system enables the provision of additional support within the county, as well as from neighboring counties, to effectively address all-hazard incidents,” says Chief Mike Niblock of the Salem Fire Department, “Additionally, the Department of the Oregon State Fire Marshal granted approval for air support and supplementary wildland firefighting resources. I am grateful to all the agencies that responded quickly to this fire.”
Please remember to sign up for Marion/Polk Alerts by going to www.cityofsalem.net/communityalerts to sign up to receive critical safety notifications.
Do not call 9-1-1 for information. Only call 9-1-1 for urgent life-threatening issues.
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