No Restrictions

Prescribed Burning

Prescribed Burning is the process of planning and starting a controlled fire to achieve a specific goal.

Prescribed burning, also called controlled or planned burning, is done to a predetermined area, under specific environmental conditions. Prescribed burns are conducted on days that are dry enough to minimize smoke production and windy enough to that will take smoke out of the Willamette Valley Smoke-Sensitive Receptor Area (SSRA), yet not be so strong as to create fire-control problems. Prescribed burns generally take place in spring and fall, but can happen all year round.

Prescribed burning involves careful research, planning, and consultation prior to burning. During burning, the fire is constantly monitored by firefighters and specialists. The site of the prescribed burn is also monitored post-burn.

 

LRAPA and Prescribed Burns

LRAPA does not regulate agricultural or slash burns in Lane County; agricultural burns are monitored and regulated by ODA  and slash burns by ODF. LRAPA does however, respond to complaints concerning agricultural or slash burns. If you are being impacted by smoke from a prescribed burn and would like to file a complaint, please file a complaint on our Air Quality Complaint Webpage. Or, you can call ODA’s smoke comment line at (503) 986-4709 or ODF at (503) 945-7207.

LRAPA does regulate ecological burning in Lane County. LRAPA issues an annual burn permit to Rivers to Ridges and regulates their ecological burns in the wetlands of Lane County. For more information on Rivers to Ridges, visit their website or their Facebook page.

​Benefits of Prescribed Burns

Prescribed burning is conducted for many reasons, including:

  • To prevent and mitigate wildfires by disposing of built-up fuel loads (flammable material that fuels a fire)
  • To minimize the spread of invasive species and pest insects that threaten native species
  • To promote the growth of native trees, flowers, and other plants
  • To restore nutrients to depleted soil
  • To remove unmarketable tree residue, or “slash”, from logging industries
  • To dispose of agricultural waste

​Types of Prescribed Burns

Agricultural Burns:  Agricultural burns are burns that are used to remove agricultural waste that was generated on a farm. Agricultural burns are regulated and monitored by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). ODA requires that businesses obtain a burn permit from them prior to any agricultural burning activities. ODA limits agricultural burns to a specific designated burn season.

Slash Burns: Slash burns are burns that are used to dispose of unmarketable tree residue, or “slash”, from logging industries. Slash burns prepare the logged site for replanting by releasing nutrients and removing vegetation that would otherwise compete with the young trees. Slash burns also help prevent wildfires by removing fuel loads. Slash burns are regulated through the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). ODF requires forest landowners to obtain a permit prior to any slash burns.

Ecological Burns: Ecological burns are burns that are used to help the environment in some way, such as by removing invasive plants, recycling nutrients, or preventing wildfires. Ecological burns in Lane County are monitored and regulated by LRAPA. Ecological burns on Federal lands are regulated by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM).

​Local Prescribed Burns

The Rivers to Ridges Partnership:  The Rivers to Ridges Partnership is a collaborative of 17 public entities that work to protect and enhance the ecosystem of the Willamette Valley. Rivers to Ridges has a controlled ecological burn program in which they conduct several prescribed burns per year. Rivers to Ridge’s ecological burns aim to help maintain prairie structure, dispose of thatch (dead plant matter), and remove fuel loads to prevent wildfires. These functions help maintain biodiversity, induce plant germination, and release nutrients into the soil. Rivers to Ridges obtains a permit from LRAPA and notifies all neighbors within 0.25 miles prior to any burns.

Willamette Valley Prescribed Fire Council: The Willamette Valley Prescribed Fire Council is made out of 6 public entities that collaborate to share information on the use of prescribed fires in the Willamette Valley. The Council informs the public of upcoming prescribed burns so residents can avoid smoke intrusions.

​Rivers 2 Ridges Permitted burns for 2023.

The ArcGIS interactive map below displays 2023 LRAPA permitted ecological burns for the Rivers 2 Ridges group.

CURRENT AIR QUALITY

AIR QUALITY COMPLAINT

MONITORING

AIR TOXICS

LRAPA monitors air quality throughout Lane County with eight regulatory-grade monitors and over 90 commercial-grade air sensors. Air Quality Index values are updated hourly.

Find the current air quality, look up the closest monitor to you, and learn more about the Air Quality Index (AQI) on the Current Air Quality Page.

BURNING OVERVIEW

HOME WOOD HEATING

OUTDOOR BURNING

RECREATIONAL BURNING

LRAPA regulates the burning of wood and yard debris, known as “outdoor burning,” in Lane County. LRAPA also enforces home wood heating – such as fireplaces and wood stoves – opacity ordinances for the cities of Eugene, Springfield and Oakridge. Seasonal and daily restrictions can exist for both forms of burning. Check to see if there are any active burning curtailments in effect on the burning restrictions webpage.

PERMITTING OVERVIEW

CLEANER AIR OREGON

TITLE V

ACDP

GREENHOUSE GASES

ACTIVE AIR PERMITS

FORMS & RESOURCES

LRAPA is responsible for issuing air permits to commercial and industrial operations with emissions above a certain threshold. Check to see if your business needs a permit by following our 5-step guide on our Permitting Overview webpage.

ASBESTOS OVERVIEW

WILDFIRE CLEANUP & ASBESTOS

FORMS & RESOURCES

Asbestos is the name of a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that are heat-resistant, strong and extremely durable. Asbestos has historically been used in over 4,000 building products because of these properties.

Asbestos can cause lung cancer, asbestosis and mesothelioma. There is no safe level of exposure to friable asbestos.

PUBLIC CALENDAR

PUBLICATIONS & REPORTS

SUBSCRIBE TO EMAIL UPDATES

LRAPA regularly solicits public comment on proposed agency actions such as rule changes, proposed air permits, and the agency’s annual budget. LRAPA also hosts monthly Board of Director and Citizen Advisory Committee meetings.

Learn more about these public comment window and public meetings on our News, Notices & Public Calendar webpage.

COMMUNITY CENTER

SUPPLEMENTAL ENV. PROJECTS

NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY

WILDFIRE SMOKE

PRESCRIBED BURNS

INDOOR AIR QUALITY

The physical environment is a crucial component of any individual’s health and well-being.  Every community needs access to safe air, land and water.  LRAPA has curated together a collation of topics commonly asked about by the community to provide information, important details, and connect interested community members with resources.

Explore the many topics of information on our Community Center webpage.

LRAPA OVERVIEW

PUBLIC OVERSIGHT

REGULATIONS & RULES

RECORDS REQUEST

PURCHASING & CONTRACTS

CAREERS

STAFF DIRECTORY

LRAPA is the local air authority responsible for monitoring Lane County’s air and administering programs that protect and improve air quality. LRAPA was founded in 1968 as an intergovernmental agreement between the cities of Springfield and Eugene. Today’s intergovernmental agreement includes Lane County and the cities of Cottage Grove, Eugene, Oakridge, and Springfield.