(Posted Sept. 8, 1:05 p.m.)
Central Lane 911 has been receiving many calls regarding the smoke in the Eugene and surrounding region. Please do not call 911 about the smoke unless you see a specific source of a fire or smoke.
McKenzie Fire Updates and Evacuation Notices
Lane County Non-Emergency Call Center
Residents who are affected by the McKenzie Fire are welcome to call Lane County’s non-emergency call center at 541-682-3977 between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. After-hours calls will be transferred to the Sheriff’s Office non-emergency phone line.
Fire Safety Messages
- Avoid the area: Do not approach the area as fire crews are working to respond. Unnecessary traffic can cause delays and confusion during the response. Respect any road closures.
- Follow the evacuation notices: If you are under an evacuation notice, please comply with requests made for Level 1 (Be Ready), Level 2 (Be Set) and Level 3 (Go Now).
Willamalane Opens Temporary Smoke and Fire Shelter
Willamalane is opening Bob Keefer Center (250 S. 32nd St., Springfield, OR 97478) and Willamalane Adult Activity Center (215 W. C St., Springfield, OR 97477) as temporary rescue shelters for community members who have been evacuated or lost power. These shelters are open effective immediately.
These sites will have capacity limits, adhere to social distancing requirements, and include other regular sanitation protocols as required with current health guidelines. Willamalane cannot offer showers right now, but that status may change as the situation progresses. Willamalane will not be charging any fees for people to use their facilities for temporary shelter. Bob Keefer Center parking lot is allowing RV parking. There are limited spaces available.
Air Quality Updates and Information
Smoke Safety Tips
- Stay indoors and keep windows and doors shut.
- Do not exercise outdoors.
- Be prepared for power loss by having flashlights, headlamps and candles available.
- If you have heart or lung disease or asthma, follow your healthcare provider’s advice.
Power Outage Information
Alternative Power Safety Tips
For those without power, the City also urges taking extra precautions when using alternative power. Use only listed and labeled equipment. Never leave such items unattended. Read and follow all manufacturers’ instructions. The use of gas appliances, such as generators, grills and bullet heaters increase the number of carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide is known as the “silent killer”, it is an invisible, odorless, tasteless gas. Exposure to carbon monoxide may cause headache, dizziness, fatigue, weakness, nausea, vomiting, impaired vision, loss of consciousness and death. Battery operated carbon monoxide detectors are recommended. Make sure alternative heat sources are approved for indoor use. Pay special attention to clearance and ventilation requirements.
Library and Recreation Updates
Eugene Rec Programs Canceled
All Eugene Rec programs are canceled September 8 due to hazardous air quality.
Sheldon and Bethel Library Branches Closed
The Sheldon and Bethel branches, along with their books returns, have closed for the afternoon. The Downtown Library closed at 4 p.m., but phone service is available until 6 p.m. as usual. Read about the library’s current services.
Tree Damage Across Eugene due to Windy Conditions
Due to strong winds last night, numerous trees across Eugene fell and some are close to falling. Parks and Open Space Urban Forestry crews worked throughout the night to clear trees and that work continues in full force today. Local tree contractors are also assisting with this work.
At this time, tree removal is focused on trees that are blocking roadways or have fallen on houses. Tree failures at the following locations are being worked on today with more tree failure reports coming in from the public:
- 19th and Washington
- 15th and Mill
- 10th and Mill
- Grand Cayman Street
- Martin Luther King Blvd.
Community members are asked to use extreme caution around trees and watch for overhead limbs that could be dangling. Parks and Open Space tree scouts have fanned out across Eugene to look for fallen trees and tree hazards such as hanging limbs.
In order to address tree failures quickly, crews will likely need to pile debris in the right of way and return to chip and haul away trees in the coming days. Homeowners working on their own tree issues are asked to help keep roads clear by not placing debris and vegetation from their property in the City right of way.
Winds coming from the east last night made conditions worse because trees are not used to wind from that direction, and it resulted in more failures.
How to Report Downed Trees
To report hazardous downed trees such as those blocking roadways please call 9-1-1 of its an emergency or 541-682-4800 on Mondays through Fridays, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
To report other downed trees along streets and in medians please visit our Service Request Page and choose Tree Service Request or call 541-682-4800. In the early phase of storm response, we will use citizen reports to help dispatch crews. As roads are clear and driving becomes safe, City staff will canvas streets to identify and prioritize the response.
If a tree has been marked with paint on its trunk, it has already been identified by staff and does not need to be reported.
City crews will only respond to privately-owned trees if they pose an immediate threat to the public safety in the right-of-way. We do not perform work or offer consultation on private trees otherwise. Learn more on our Storm Response web page (see Tree Hazard Response tab).