FIRE WEATHER WATCH: A strong area of low pressure will bring an increased chance for strong easterly winds with critically dry conditions starting Friday night, September 9 extending into Saturday, September 10. These conditions are expected throughout central Lane County and the Willamette Valley.
In anticipation of these conditions and the increased fire danger, Eugene Springfield Fire will be staffing additional response vehicles within Eugene and Springfield. These vehicles, called Brush Engines, are designed for responding to fires in rugged terrain. Funding for staffing these additional units was provided through the Wildfire Season Staffing Grant from the Oregon Office of the State Fire Marshal. Additionally, Eugene Springfield Fire will have standby staff on-call with predesignated assignments to allow Operations to quickly recall staff in the event of a large-scale or multiple incident emergency event.
There are actions you can take and resources available to prepare for an emergency.
BE FIRE SMART: There are activities that have higher fire danger than others. Using a campfire or firepit, smoking outdoors, chainsaw usage, cutting/grinding/welding material, mowing dry or cured grass, and off-road motor vehicle use all have a heightened fire danger under these conditions and are strongly discouraged. If you are on public lands, be sure you are aware of and adhere to any restrictions in your location. To check fire restrictions where you may be recreating, you can visit the Oregon Department of Forestry website.
BE PREPARED: Planning for an emergency before it happens can make all the difference. Identify several routes out of your neighborhood and have a destination in mind of where you can stay if you need to evacuate for several days, and don’t forget to include your pets in your emergency plan. For more information about developing an emergency plan, visit ready.gov/plan.
AIR QUALITY: An air quality advisory has been issued for Lane County through Saturday, September 10 due to the weather and existing wildfires. Smoke levels can change rapidly. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ’s Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone.
EMERGENCY ALERTS: You can sign up to have emergency alerts for Lane County sent to your cell phone by texting your zip code to 38276. It is recommended to sign up for any zip codes where you live, work, or attend school. In the event of an emergency, alerts and any instructions will be distributed through various methods including radio, television, and telephone.
EUGENE AND SPRINGFIELD EVACUATION ZONES: Eugene and Springfield have designated evacuation zone numbers. In the event of an emergency, these zones will be utilized to communicate which areas are under evacuation. Do you “know your zone”? You can access the interactive map at eugene-or.gov/4732/Emergency-Evacuation-Zones.
WILDFIRE CAMERAS: Throughout Oregon, cameras have been stationed to track wildfire activity. You can access the cameras at alertwildfire.org. Cameras that offer views of central and eastern Lane County include Dead Mtn, Buck Mtn, Prairie Ridge, and Deathball Mtn.