SLCFR News

Please be cautious with yardwork during the days we see extreme heat. As a reminder; the mowing of dried grass is prohibited during extreme fire danger.

These pictures from a recent local fire illustrate how quickly a fire can spread out of control from something as seemingly harmless as mowing. 

Today marks the first day of fire season where the Fire Danger has increased from Low to Moderate.

The following restrictions apply within the City of Cottage Grove, City of Creswell, and any lands within the SLCFR District boundaries, not protected by the Western or Eastern Lane Districts of ODF. 

 Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, and other designated locations.

 Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at locations where fire pits are present. Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed. Briquette use is allowed in barbeques, but is restricted to use on hard, non-flammable surfaces such as patios, driveways, gravel, or green irrigated lawns. 

 Power saw use is permitted all day during low fire danger (GREEN), before 1:00 p.m. and after 8 p.m. during moderate fire danger (BLUE) and before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. during high fire danger (YELLOW). The use of power saws is prohibited during extreme fire danger (RED). Each power saw is required to have one shovel and one fire extinguisher of at least 8 ounce capacity. A Firewatch of at least one hour is required following the use of each saw.

 Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is permitted all day during low fire danger (GREEN), before 1:00 p.m. and after 8 p.m. during moderate fire danger (BLUE), before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. during high fire danger (YELLOW) as long as it is conducted in a cleared area and has a charged garden hose or one 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher immediately available. This activity is prohibited during extreme fire danger (RED). 

 The mowing of dried, cured grass is permitted all day during low fire danger (GREEN), before 1:00 p.m. and after 8 p.m. during moderate fire danger (BLUE), before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. during high fire danger (YELLOW), and is prohibited during extreme fire danger (RED). The culture and harvest of agricultural crops is exempt from this requirement. 

 Motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, are only allowed on improved roads free of flammable vegetation, except for the culture and harvest of agricultural crops.

 Use of illegal fireworks is prohibited at all times, and in any location within the District. Legal firework use is permitted in areas free of dried, cured grasses, brush, or trees unless prohibited in areas jointly protected by SLCFR and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). Generally and where permitted, firework use is only permitted on asphalt, concrete, or gravel and a charged garden hose or one 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher is immediately available. 

Fire Danger Adjective Class is as follows:

Low = Green: Activity permitted all day 

Moderate = Blue: Activity permitted until 1:00 p.m. and after 8:00 p.m. 

High = Yellow: Activity permitted until 10:00 a.m. and after 8:00 p.m. 

Extreme = Red : Activity prohibited

Lane County and the University of Oregon’s Institute for Policy Research and Engagement are working to develop six area-specific emergency evacuation plans, as well as a process for developing additional emergency evacuation plans for other areas of Lane County.

“We know that the worst can happen here and we all need to be as prepared as possible to evacuate in the face of an emergency,” said Lane County Emergency Manager Patence Winningham. “Lane County has a number of rural communities with limited road access and a higher danger of fire, flooding or severe winter storms. Creating specific evacuation plans will help our residents be better prepared for our next emergency.”

A brief survey will help the project team become familiar with Lane County residents' understanding of and preparedness for evacuation due to a wildfire, flood, or other emergency events.

The survey is available at www.lanecounty.org/evacplanning. It will remain open through March 31, 2021. 

“While evacuation planning is an important step in enhancing our collective preparedness for emergencies, when communications fail, we should all have a plan.  Residents should always be ready to make the best possible decision for their safety in an emergency and have their own emergency plans in place as well,” said Winningham.

The six areas included in the grant-funded program are: Mapleton, Swisshome, Crow-Applegate, Lorane, Row River and the area served by Eugene #1 Rural Fire Protection District.

 The project is funded by a FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant awarded to the Oregon Partnership for Disaster Resilience and Oregon Emergency Management, which submitted the application on behalf of Lane County.

And just like that, its October and Fire Prevention Month is upon us!

Much like most of 2020, FPM will have a different feel than in years past. The theme this year is, "Serving up Fire Safety in the kitchen".

For more information visit our Fire Prevention page by clicking HERE

Please also check out the information and excellent videos at the NFPA website HERE