Salem wildfire updates: Evacuation alerts downgraded to Level 1 Be Ready

Latest updates on the ongoing Liberty Fire in South Salem, which led to the evacuation of about 600 people.

7:30 p.m.: Evacuation alerts downgraded to Level 1 Be Ready.

The Liberty Fire remains 100% contained, according to city officials. Fire crews will remain on site throughout the night.

Evacuation alerts have been downgraded to a Level 1 Be Ready in case weather conditions increase the risk of re-ignition. A red-flag warning is in place until 11 a.m. Friday.

11:51 a.m.: FEMA approves funds for Liberty Fire

The Federal Emergency Management Agency authorized the use of federal funds to help with firefighting costs for the Liberty Fire, the federal agency said Thursday.

Oregon's requested for a Fire Management Assistance Grant was approved by FEMA Region 10 Administrator Willie G. Nunn on Wednesday. The city and state would submit its firefighting costs on the blaze to be refunded, officials said.

"(Nunn) determined that the Liberty Fire threatened to cause such destruction as would constitute a major disaster. At the time of the state’s request, the wildfire threatened homes in and around the communities of Liberty, South Salem and Salem Hills. The fire also threatened buildings, roads, bridges, public power infrastructure and utilities in the area," a news release said.

11:20 a.m.: Red flag warning in place for much of western Oregon Cascades on Thursday, but not Salem

A red flag warning for rapid fire spread and lightning from thunderstorms is in place Thursday to Friday in the Cascade Range and foothills, but that does not include the Salem area.

However, fire danger remains high/extreme across the Willamette Valley.

11:12 a.m.: Fire crews to remain working blaze, evacuation orders stay in place through Thursday

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said fire crews will remain active on the Liberty Fire throughout Thursday. Evacuation warnings — level 1 (be prepared) and level 2 (get set to go) — will stay in place.

"We will be working closely with fire officials to remain updated on fire behavior and weather changes," Marion County said. An evacuation map can be found here.

8:30 a.m.: Crews contained fire at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday

Crews were able to contain the fire by 7:15 p.m. Wednesday and monitored it overnight, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office.

Crews will remain in the area Thursday to monitor fire behavior and weather activity, the sheriff’s office said.

The sheriff's office said the grass fire was reported at 2:48 p.m. Wednesday in the 6300 block of Liberty Road S north of Jory Hill Road S and quickly become a two alarm fire involving multiple local fire departments and air crews.

10 p.m.: Evacuation alerts downgraded

Fire officials have downgraded evacuation levels. Those who were previously in a Level 3 Go Now alert have been downgraded to a Level 2 Be Set. Those previously in a Level 2 have been downgraded to a Level 1 Be Ready.

Find an updated map at bit.ly/45HLYsi.

9:30 p.m.: Fire crews to monitor fire overnight

Salem fire crews will continue to monitor the fire overnight, according to an update on the City of Salem Facebook page.

Overnight weather conditions, including decreased winds and increased humidity, are expected to help efforts.

Evacuation zones remain unchanged and roadblocks are still in place.

City officials reported more than 30 firefighting apparatus were dispatched to fight the fire earlier in the day, including four aircraft. More than 100 firefighters responded.

Officials confirmed no injuries have been reported.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for Marion/Polk Alerts to get notices on their phones and email of evacuation alerts and other emergencies. The sign-up can be found at cityofsalem.net/communityalerts

8:45 p.m.: 2 outbuildings burned; firefighters focus on containment

The damage to buildings from the Liberty Fire has been kept to two outbuildings, according to Joe Hutchinson, emergency manager for Salem. No homes were damaged or destroyed as of Thursday evening.

Hutchinson also said no livestock or humans have been injured in the fire.

Firefighters had stopped the fire's expansion and were focused on containment and mop-up efforts.

“Air crews have pulled off and we now have ground crews at the perimeters,” Hutchinson said.

He said that the ground crews will be around the perimeter of the fire throughout the night.

The Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation alerts remain in effect.

8:25 p.m. Nearby construction workers first to respond to Liberty Fire

Emery & Sons Construction employees working on a residential development Wednesday afternoon west of Liberty Road South said they saw smoke to the south and found flames when they drove closer to get a look.

Wade Humphrey of Jefferson said he and his co-workers sent a water truck in and then other equipment to start cutting lines on the property in hopes of stopping the fire.

“The fire department showed up and we helped them the entire time,” Humphrey said.

8:10 p.m.: Liberty Fire evacuee tells of leaving longtime family home

Joyce Stringer, 64, was driving home from her daughter's house at 3 p.m. Wednesday when her neighbor called and said she needed to rush home.

When Stringer arrived and looked out her back door she saw smoke 100 yards away.

She only had 10 minutes to decide what to take before firefighters told her to leave.

She grabbed her computers, important documents, keys, cash box and suitcases that were still packed from a trip she had just returned from.

She also grabbed bags of pig feed but it was too late to open the gates to her barn. “I just threw it all in,” she said.

As she left she was sure the home she was raised in and has been in the family for more than 60 years was gone.

She can still connect to her home surveillance system, a hopeful sign, but periodic checks reveal the trees she planted a couple years ago have been cut down.

Her daughter, Sara, was keeping her company at Judson Middle School as they awaited more updates.

8 p.m.: Pizza arrives for evacuees at Judson Middle School

About 20 evacuees were at Judson Middle School on Wednesday night and were provided a pizza dinner by the Red Cross. The Red Cross said they will stay at Judson until they are told to leave.

7:10 p.m.: Food and dog treats ordered for evacuees at Judson Middle School

The Red Cross has ordered dinner to provide a hot meal for fire evacuees at Judson Middle School. Dog treats will also be available for pets. The middle school is located at 4512 Jones Road SE.

7 p.m.: Residents report seeing ash from fire

South Salem residents near the fire have reported seeing ash on the ground.

6:51 p.m.: Oregon Department of Forestry Severity Firebosses called in

The Dalles-based ODF Severity Firebosses have been sent to help with the vegetation fire, according to ODF.

6:23 p.m.: Judson Middle School a gathering point for evacuees

Brandon Liles, disaster team coordinator with the Red Cross, told the Statesman Journal Judson is a gathering point and staging area for now. It located at 4512 Jones Road SE.

6:17 p.m.: Oregon State Fire Marshal gives update on Liberty Fire acreage

According to the Oregon State Fire Marshal, the fire has burned at least 10 acres.

6:15 p.m.: Multiple air resources fighting Liberty Fire, according to Oregon State Fire Marshal

Air attack resources include two single engine air tankers, one type one helicopter and an air attack resource.

6:05 p.m.: Crews dropping water on western end of fire in timber

Air crews are refilling in the Willamette River.

6 p.m.: Fire officials have refined evacuation map.

See the map here.

5:42 p.m.: Liberty Road South closed starting at Davis Road; Crossler Middle School reunification point

Salem Police say local access is permitted, but all others should avoid the area. Those impacted should go to the reunification point at Crossler Middle School at 1155 Davis Road S. Red Cross Cascades is available to help, according to police.

5:34 p.m.: Air attack and additional helicopters have been dispatched, according to the Oregon State Fire Marshal.

Priority is houses on Jory Hill Road west of Liberty Road. Six planes have dropped water so far.

5:23 p.m.: Police say Big Mountain Avenue residents safe

Police were going door to door on Big Mountain Ave South telling residents they are no longer in the evacuation area and can stay if they agree to monitor alerts and social media if things change.

5:06 p.m.: Level 2 evacuation warning added to surrounding area of South Salem

A level 2 evacuation warning, meaning "be set to go at any moment," has been added to the evacuations already in place around the Liberty Fire burning in South Salem.

That's in addition to the roughly 600 people already under a level 3 evacuation order in the Jory Hill Road South and west of Skyline Road South area.

A live view of the map can be viewed here, from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

A slightly clearer map can be found here.

4:44 p.m.: Two gathering points for those evacuated from homes

There are two gathering places for those evacuated from their homes.

The City of Salem said those displaced could go to: Crossler Middle School, 1155 Davis Road S.

The Marion County Sheriff's Office said evacuees can go to Judson Middle School at 4512 Jones Road SE.

Original story: Level 3 evacuations issued for 600 people due to Liberty Fire

Level 3 evacuations, meaning "go now," have been ordered for roughly 600 people in South Salem due to a fast-moving vegetation fire.

The evacuation area includes Jory Hill Road South and west of Skyline Road South, according to a news release from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

"Leave without delay," the evacuation order said. "It is unsafe to stay and threatens the safety of you, your family, and emergency responders. Your life could be in great danger. Emergency services personnel may not be available to help you if you choose to stay."

What started as a grass fire, first reported around 2:50 p.m., quickly moved into a blaze burning in timber and threatening homes.

Reports from those near the fire said flames were as tall as some of the trees and were threatening homes.

"You could see the flames moving. They would get it low and then flare up again," said Debbie Brown, who lives near the fire.

City of Salem officials said as of 4:32, no structures had burned or injuries have been reported, the city posted on Facebook.

Fire crews from multiple agencies responded, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal is mobilizing single engine air tankers to drop water on the fire.

"We will continue to evaluate the need for any additional resources or support," the agency said.

The fire was first reported around 2:50 p.m., when Salem Fire Department confirmed they were sending out units for a second-alarm vegetation fire to Jory Hill Road and Liberty Road South.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Wildfire updates: Evacuation alerts downgraded to Level 1 Be Ready