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@MCSOInTheKnow
On Friday September 16th at approximately 1400 hrs. Marion County deputies responded to a vehicle break in call in Stayton Oregon. Upon arrival Marion County deputies aided by Marion County detectives were able to locate 2 suspects which ultimately led to the seizure of stolen firearms, ammunition and approximately ¼ pound of methamphetamine.
Suspects were lodged at the Marion County Jail on the following charges
Araya Landers - Theft I, Felon Possess Firearm, Attempted DCS Meth, out of county Warrants
James Dalton - Theft I, Felon Possess Firearm, UEMV, multiple out of county warrants
As of 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 15, 2022, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office is lifting all remaining evacuation advisories related to the Vitae Springs Fire. This decision was made in consultation with officials from Salem Fire Department who has been leading the fire response. Earlier today the Salem Fire Department announced they will be patrolling the area over the next few days and will respond to any concerns which are detected. Any further information about the status the fire will be released by the City of Salem.
We want to encourage community members to sign up to receive emergency alerts by visiting Marion Polk Alerts.
Update: September 12, 2022, 2:30 p.m.
After consulting with fire officials earlier today, evacuation levels related to the Vitae Springs fire are again being downgraded. As of this afternoon, the following areas remain at a Level 1: Be Ready status:
- Vitae Springs Road between Skyline Rd S to River Rd
- West side of Skyline Rd from Vitae Springs Rd to Cole Rd S
- Orville Rd S
- Riversprings Rd to Prospect Ridge
Level 1: BE READY for potential evacuation. You should be aware of the danger that exists in the area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movements of persons with special needs, mobile property, and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.
An up-to-date map of evacuated areas can be found at https://bit.ly/2022VitaeSpringsFire.
There are 60 fire personnel assigned to the incident today who will be continuing with mop up work. Weather conditions in the forecast for the coming days are favorable to maintaining progress made over the last few days. The footprint of the fire is currently estimated to be approximately 165 acres, primarily comprised of dense brush and wooded areas including steep terrain. Fire officials expect to see the fire continue to smolder in areas and produce smoke until prolonged heavy rains arrive in what is known as a season-ending event.
As of this morning there have been no reported injuries related to the fire and no structures have been lost. The Salem Fire Department is preparing a plan to continue to patrol the area for potential hot spots and will contact effected property owners as those plans are developed.
We want to encourage community members to sign up to receive emergency alerts by visiting Marion Polk Alerts.
In consultation with fire officials, existing evacuation levels are being reduced for the Vitae Springs fire effective 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 11, 2022. A detailed map of up-to-date evacuation areas can be found at https://bit.ly/2022VitaeSpringsFire.
Level 2: Be Set
- Vitae Springs Road between Skyline Rd S to River Rd
- West side of Skyline Rd from Vitae Springs Rd to Cole Rd S
- Orville Rd S
- Riversprings Rd to Prospect Ridge
Level 2: BE SET to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family and friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. This may be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.
Level 1: Be Ready
- Marion County:
- River Road S at Sawmill Rd
- Sawmill Rd S
- South side of Ballyntyne Rd S
- Stonehill Ave S
- Jory Hill Rd S west of Elmhurst Ave S
- Elmhurst Ave S to Nehalem St S
- Cole Rd S west of Bates Rd S
- West side of Bates Rd S to Bunker Hill Rd S including the Chinook Estates neighborhood
- Bunker Hill Rd S to Riverside Dr S
- Riverside Dr S from River Rd S to Sidney Rd S
- West side of Sidney Rd S to Buena Vista Rd S
Level 1: BE READY for potential evacuation. You should be aware of the danger that exists in the area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movements of persons with special needs, mobile property, and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.
No areas in Polk County remain under an evacuation advisory.
Overnight the fire remained within the existing containment lines and fire crews from numerous regional agencies continue to assist Salem Fire Department crews. The fire is expected to continue to smolder and produce smoke for an extended period. Fire officials will work directly with residents living at properties with fire activity. The Salem Fire Department would like to thank the Oregon State Fire Marshall’s Office and Oregon Department of Forestry for their continued support and partnership during this response.
Marion County Emergency Management will be coordinating with the American Red Cross to close the Judson Middle School evacuee resource center later today. Those with livestock at the Oregon State Fairgrounds will be able to work directly with county officials to coordinate next steps.
While there are still active efforts being made related to this fire, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the many police and fire agencies, our 911 call-takers and dispatchers, volunteers, as well as our fellow county agencies and community partners including the Salem-Keizer School District, American Red Cross, and Oregon State Fairgrounds for their quick response and commitment to keeping our community safe.
We want to encourage community members to sign up to receive emergency alerts by visiting Marion Polk Alerts.
Efforts by fire personnel have been ongoing throughout the day with resources from numerous regional agencies assisting. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has remained in close contact with the Salem Fire Department who is leading firefighting efforts. After consulting with fire officials Saturday afternoon, existing Level 3 and Level 2 zones remain unchanged. Residents in evacuated areas need to be prepared for existing evacuations to remain in place overnight.
We understand the hardship created by the continued evacuations and appreciate the outpouring of support shown by our community partners. A resource center for evacuees remains open at Judson Middle School located at 4512 Jones Rd SE, Salem, as well as a shelter for livestock at the Oregon State Fairgrounds.
An up to date map of evacuated areas in Marion and Polk counties can be found at https://bit.ly/2022VitaeSpringsFire.
September 10, 2022 – 10:25 am Update:
Deputies and fire crews remained posted in the Level 3 evacuation areas overnight following the high risk grass fire that originated in the 4000 block of Vitae Springs Rd S at approximately 4:00 p.m. yesterday afternoon. As of this morning the fire is concentrated in a heavily wooded area which is challenging to access due to the steep terrain. The area remains under a Red Flag warning with potential for high winds in the forecast through late Saturday evening.
Salem Fire Department is leading fire response efforts and are coordinating with partner fire districts and state agencies. Air assets are still assigned to this incident and are planned to assist with suppression and containment efforts throughout the day. Ground crews will be coordinating with air assets to form a retardant line around the perimeter of the fire. The fire is 100% contained at this time, crews will be continuing to mop up hot spots and strengthen the containment lines.
Level 3 and Level 2 evacuations issued the yesterday evening, September 9th, remain in effect. An up to date map of evacuated areas in Marion and Polk counties can be found at https://bit.ly/2022VitaeSpringsFire. Approximately 119 single family residences are located within the Level 3 evacuation area, there have been no reported injuries or structures lost as of this morning. An additional 516 homes in Marion and Polk Counties are under a Level 2 advisory. A resource center for evacuees is at Judson Middle School, located at 4512 Jones Rd SE, Salem.
To assist with ensuring safe emergency vehicle access, community members are being asked to avoid the area. Access between Salem and Independence along River Road, including the Independence bridge, is open to traffic. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts through Marion Polk Alerts.
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September 9, 2022 – 10:35 pm update:
Emergency responders will be remaining on scene overnight. Previously announced Level 3 evacuations remain in effect. As a precaution, Level 2: Be Set evacuations are being issued to the following areas in Marion and Polk Counties:
- Marion County:
- River Road S at Sawmill Rd
- Sawmill Rd S
- South side of Ballyntyne Rd S
- Stonehill Ave S
- Jory Hill Rd S west of Elmhurst Ave S
- Elmhurst Ave S to Nehalem St S
- Cole Rd S west of Bates Rd S
- West side of Bates Rd S to Bunker Hill Rd S including the Chinook Estates neighborhood
- Bunker Hill Rd S to Riverside Dr S
- Riverside Dr S from River Rd S to Sidney Rd S
- West side of Sidney Rd S to Buena Vista Rd S
- Polk County:
- East of Corvallis Rd from the Independence Bridge to Davidson Rd
- North of Davidson Rd and Wigrich Rd east to the Willamette River
Level 2: BE SET to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family and friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. This may be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.
An up to date map of areas under evacuation can be found at https://bit.ly/2022VitaeSpringsFire. The American Red Cross is offering emergency shelter assistance for evacuees and can be contacted at Judson Middle School located 4512 Jones Rd SE, Salem. Evacuees seeking information about emergency livestock sheltering are asked to check in at Judson Middle School.
Current weather conditions have the area under a red flag warning. Please do not enter evacuated areas.
Sign up for emergency alerts through Marion Polk Alerts.
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September 9, 2022 – 7:45 pm update:
Deputies are continuing to get updates from fire officials, some Level 3 evacuations are likely to last through the weekend. Property owners with livestock in the evacuation area should contact officials on site at Judson Middle School for assistance. Marion County Emergency Management is coordinating with local partners to secure locations to take livestock while evacuations remain in place.
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Emergency services are on scene of a high risk grass fire in the 4000 block of Vitae Springs Rd S. The Marion County Sheriff’s Office has ordered Level 3 evacuations to the following areas:
- Vitae Springs Road between Skyline Rd S to River Rd
- West side of Skyline Rd from Vitae Springs Rd to Cole Rd S
- Orville Rd S
- RIversprings Rd to Prospect Ridge
Level 3: GO! Evacuate now! Leave immediately! Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. This will be the last notice you receive.
A gathering point for evacuees has been established at Judson Middle School located at 4512 Jones Rd SE, Salem.
A unified command has been established with fire officials to coordinate the response and door to door evacuation notifications have been made by area law enforcement. There are currently 18 responding agencies involved in the incident including air support. Additional information will be released at a later time.