People wait for their laundry to finish as the sky turns a deep red around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2020 at Coin Laundry in Salem, Oregon. Smoke and ash from nearby wildfires settled into Salem making breathing conditions hazardous.
Oregon Burning
Oregon's 2020 wildfire season was one of the most destructive and devastating seasons on record.
Hot and dry conditions, and a powerful wind event with gusts nearing 60 mph contributed to the quick spread of raging fire. Over 1 million acres burned and over 40,000 Oregonians were forced to evacuate their homes, according to the Oregon Office of Emergency Management.
The Lionshead and Beachie Creek fires ravaged the Santiam Canyon.
Towns nestled along the Santiam River were forced to evacuate overnight when the fire grew in acreage burning over 1,500 structures.
Four people lost their lives while trying to escape: Peggy Mosso and Wyatt Tofte, a 71-year-old grandmother and her 13-year-old grandson, and Justin Cook and Cathy Cook, 41-year-old son and his 71-year-old mother.
These are the stories of the people, communities and land that will be forever changed by that day.
Thick smoke settles between the mountains as parts of Northwest Oregon are under an "extremely critical" fire warning on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020 near Idanha, Ore.
Vehicles evacuate West on Highway 22 as a smoke warning is given on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020 near Gates, Ore.
The Santiam Fire causes damage to a vehicle along U.S. Highway 22 on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 near Mill City, Ore.
Kraig Arndt of Mill City takes photos of a friend's home that burned to the ground from the Santiam Fire on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020 in Mill City, Ore.
A horse with its owners phone number written on its back is cared for at the Oregon State Fairgrounds after being evacuated during the Santiam Fire on Saturday, Sept. 12, 2020 in Salem, Ore.
