Salem-News.com Oregon articles

Red Cross Wildfire Evacuation Shelters House More Than Two Dozen People Saturday Night

Individuals and families affected by the wildfires and in need of shelter are encouraged to come for help and information.

(SALEM, Ore.) - The American Red Cross housed more than two dozen people at three shelters throughout Oregon last night.

Hundreds of people have been forced to evacuate from their homes due to the Milli, Chetco Bar and Nena Springs Wildfires burning near Sisters, Brookings, and Warm Springs, Oregon.

Oregon`s Nena Springs Fire Update

While Kah-Nee-Ta Resort is still at a Level 3 evacuation, the immediate threat to it is gone.

(WARM SPRINGS, Ore.) - At approximately 3:20pm Thursday, an ember from the Nena Springs Fire blew out of containment lines near Kishwalk. Driven by high winds, the fire began running in grass and brush. Two helicopters, handcrews and at least 10 engines responded in addition to 150 firefighters that were already assigned to the fire.

Winds pushed the fire over Indian Head Canyon and through Charlie Canyon, then continued move a mile east past the Kah-Nee-Ta Resort.

Eclipse Info for Oregon`s Path of Totality Salem-Area Viewing

Important reminders and announcements for Monday's total solar eclipse

(SALEM, Ore.) - The first total solar eclipse since 1979 is an anxiously-awaited event. The shadow of the Moon, the umbra, does not touch any other landmass or island before it touches Oregon on Monday morning.

The eclipse hits the Oregon Coast between Newport & Lincoln City at 10:15 a.m. (PDT), and will continue moving across the path of totality throughout the day.

Wildfire Backs Up I-5 in Southern Oregon for 10 Miles

Drivers should call 5-1-1 or TripCheck.com for up to the minute updates.

(GRANTS PASS, Ore.) - SW Oregon: I-5 MP 53, between Rogue River and Grants Pass: Due to wildfire, expect extreme delays both NB/SB. NB traffic is backed up nearly 10 miles.

Use alternate routes and expect delays. Medford-Grants commuters should consider alternate routes or delaying travel. Watch for emergency crews.

McMinnville Man Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison for Causing Death of Motorcyclist

Duck will not be eligible for earned "good time" to reduce the sentence.

(DALLAS, Ore.) - Brenden James Duck was sentenced today to serve 12 years in prison by Polk County Circuit Judge Monte Campbell for causing the death of James Osredkar on April 14, 2017.

19-year old Brenden Duck of McMinnville,pled guilty to manslaughter in the second degree, failure to perform the duties of a driver to injured persons, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, criminal mischief in the first degree, and unlawful possession of methamphetamine

Campfires Prohibited in Oregon State Parks and on Beaches

August is the peak of Oregon's wildfire season, so preventing additional burden on firefighting efforts is high priority.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is prohibiting all campfires and open flames in Oregon State Parks and other properties owned and managed by the department beginning Aug. 16 until further notice.

These restrictions extend to all Oregon beaches. Charcoal briquettes, tiki-style torches and candles are also prohibited. Only fuel sources that can be turned off instantly, such as propane stoves, will be allowed.

Man Sought as Search for Missing Woodburn Woman Continues

Police are seeking assistance from the public to find 26-year old Cynthia Martinez, a mother of four, missing three weeks.

(WOODBURN, Ore.) - Over three weeks have passed since 26-year old Cynthia Martinez was reported missing and she has not been seen or heard from since. She had attended a birthday party in the Woodburn area Saturday evening, July 15th, and then went to the Tequila Nights Bar & Grill in Keizer.

Cynthia was last seen leaving Tequila Nights Bar & Grill with two Hispanic males approximately two hours later at about 2:35 a.m. in a blue 2004 Honda Odyssey minivan. The minivan has since been located by investigators.

Brother and Sister Hikers Rescued off of Three-Fingered Jack area

Conditions became foggy and visibility was near zero.

(LINN COUNTY, Ore.) - Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley reported his deputies were attempting a rescue of two hikers from the Three Fingered Jack area just before noon today.

On Sunday August 13, 2017, at 4:57 p.m., Linn County Sheriff's Office dispatch received a 9-1-1 call from two climbers saying they lost their way in the fog and was stuck on a rock face, unable to get out on their own.

Search-and-Rescue Teams Recover Two after Fatal Fall along Pacific Crest Trail

Family notifications have been made, and the two victims can now be identified.

(CLACKAMAS COUNTY, Ore.) - Last Saturday evening about 5:45, passing hikers called 911 to report that they had seen the bodies of two women who appeared to have fallen approximately 150 feet off a cliff, about 6 miles northwest of Timberline Lodge, along the Pacific Crest Trail.

At 11:10 p.m., AMR RAT reached the location where the two victims had fallen and confirmed that both women were deceased at the scene.

Oregon National Guard Soldiers and Airmen Soon to Deploy to Fire near Crater Lake

Operation Plan Smokey stipulates how Oregon National Guard members are utilized to assist in firefighting efforts.

(SALEM, Ore.) - More than 100 Oregon National Guard members, activated by Oregon Governor Kate Brown to assist with ongoing firefighting efforts in southern Oregon, are scheduled to complete their refresher firefighting training at the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training (DPSST), in Salem on Tuesday.

The group, comprised of Citizen-Airmen and Citizen-Soldiers from Oregon Air and Army National Guard units across the state are scheduled to deploy to the High Cascade Complex in southern Oregon on Wednesday, August 16, 2017.