Burning planned to begin October 1st in the Eugene-Springfield area

Wildfire danger has sufficiently decreased, and the winds are forecasted to become favorable for ecological burning sourthern Willamette Valley starting October 1st.  Tentative plans are for burning in the Mount Pisgah area first due to favorable northwest winds. If the weather is as forecasted, Units 9 and 10 would be ignited starting in the late morning, with ignition operations complete in the afternoon.

Winds are forecast to switch to a northeasterly flow starting Saturday, which would be favorable for transporting smoke away from planned burns in the West Eugene Wetlands. The current weather forecast is uncertain as to whether the cut-off low that is bringing the wind shift will also bring any rain to western Oregon.  If significant rain does occur, this will likely preclude burning.

Planned burn units in the southern Willamette Valley

A larger-scale map of the burns planned in the vicinity of west Eugene.

A larger-scale map of the burns planned in the vicinity of Mount Pisgah.

Notification letters have been mailed to neighboring landowners

Notification letters were mailed out this week to all owners of taxlots located within 1/4 mile of planned burn units. Burning is dependent upon weather and the regional and national wildfire situation. Burning will not occur until the Northwest Preparedness Level has decreased to 3 (meaning that adequate firefighters are available for the current and anticipated wildfires). The weather also needs to be such that the fire operations would be safe, produce the desired effects, and smoke would minimally impact residents. Current weather forecast is not favorable for burning, and consequently no burning is anticipated for the week of September 12.

We are currently experiencing technical difficulty with our Prescribed Fire Information Line. Normally, the current status of burning is available on a recording at 541-683-6970.