Salem brush fire 100% contained, evacuations downgraded

SALEM, Ore. (KPTV) – Evacuation levels have been reduced as of 12 p.m. Sunday for the Vitae Springs Fire burning in south Salem.

The Marion County Sheriff’s Office said level 2 “Be Set” evacuation notices are in effect for the following areas:

Vitae Springs Road between Skyline Rd S to River Road
West side of Skyline Road from Vitae Springs Rd to Cole Road S
Orville Road S
Riversprings Road to Prospect Ridge

Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuations are ordered for the following:

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

There are no longer any locations in Polk County under evacuation notices. A map of the evacuation areas can be found here.

The evacuation center at Judson Middle School will be closed later on Sunday.

The fire on Friday evening first forced residents to evacuate along SE Vitae Springs Road.

On Saturday, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said the fire is 100% contained, with crews continuing to mop up hot spots and strengthen containment lines. The fire is concentrated in a heavily wooded area that is challenging to access due to steep terrain. The Salem Fire Department is leading the response and coordinating with partner and state agencies.

The sheriff’s office said the fire is expected to smolder and produce smoke for an extended period. There have been no reported injuries or structures lost.

Air crews are working to extinguish the fire. Those crews will coordinate with ground crews to form a retardant line around the perimeter of the fire.

There’s currently no word on what started the fire.

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