A huge fire broke out at Oregon State Fire Marshal warehouse in Salem on May 23, raising alarms just ahead of the state's wildfire season.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal warehouse, on 4080 Reed Road SE, houses essential equipment for Oregon's statewide wildland fire response operations.
Emergency crews responded to the fire, which was rated a two-alarm blaze, after thick black smoke poured from the roof of the commercial building around 11:15 a.m., according to the Salem Fire Department.
How Firefighters Helped Stop a Large Fire from Causing Major Damage
Firefighters worked quickly to bring the fire under control. The Salem Fire Department said its crews were able to quickly locate and put out the fire, saving millions of dollars of heavy equipment and infrastructure for wildfire response operations.
"Through these quick actions, crews were able to protect millions of dollars in equipment for the Oregon State Fire Marshal's Office and prevented millions of dollars in damage to the building," the Salem Fire Department said in a statement.
No injuries were reported, and no firefighting equipment was damaged, officials said.
Why this Fire Is Raising Concerns Ahead of the Wildfire Season
This disaster is happening in a crucial moment before Oregon prepares for another large and destructive wildfire season. Officials warned about protecting emergency resources and response infrastructure that are critical to large-scale wildfires.
Photos released by officials showed heavy smoke erupting down from the roof of the warehouse before crews were able to control it.
What Do We Know About the Cause of the Fire?
The cause of the fire is still being investigated. By midafternoon, the smoke had cleared, and as it was being relieved, officials were seen inspecting the damage on-site. The warehouse's shipping and receiving dock appeared to have remained untouched.