SALEM, Ore. – Marion County officials Monday evening lowered a Level 3 (GO!) evacuation order to Level 2 (BE SET) after a grass fire earlier in the day prompted people living along a rural road to the southwest of Salem to leave their homes.
The evacuation level was lowered around 6 p.m. for people living on the south side of the 4000 to 4300 block of Vitae Springs Road South and included the side roads River Springs Dr S and River Heights Ln S.
Officials said the fire has been contained but firefighters will remain on scene for several more hours.
First responders closed the road between Skyline and Orville Roads as fire crews fought the grass fire.
Initial reports state that someone was driving along the road when their car started to fill with smoke. The driver pulled over, and their vehicle caught some brush on fire.
Salem's Emergency Manager said that roughly 35 homes were evacuated, and everyone had a place to go.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal's helicopter is preparing to make water drops on the fire Monday evening.
The American Red Cross set up a temporary evacuation center at Crossler Middle School,1155 Davis Road S, in Salem.