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Eugene council approves five‑year exemption to allow prescribed burning up to 300 acres per year
Summary
Council adopted an ordinance granting a five‑year exemption to Eugene code section 6.2 so River to Ridges partners can conduct prescribed burns up to 300 acres annually within city limits, with the exemption set to expire 12/31/2030; councilors cited wildfire risk and air‑quality agency briefings in support.
The Eugene City Council on June 22 approved an ordinance granting a five‑year exemption from Eugene Code Section 6.2 to permit prescribed burning by the River to Ridges partnership, which includes the Bureau of Land Management, The Nature Conservancy and city staff.
City Manager Hariyama told the council the proposed ordinance would allow partners to continue prescribed burn operations up to 300 acres per year within city limits, with the exemption remaining in effect through Dec. 31, 2030. Councilor Keating said the Lane Regional Air Protection Agency had presented a demonstration of prescribed burn procedures and expressed strong support for extending the policy to reduce wildfire risk as the community approaches a longer, more dangerous fire season.
After brief discussion the council voted 8–0 to adopt the ordinance. Council members and staff said the measure is intended to permit coordinated, trained burns under existing interagency protocols and to include a sunset to allow later review.
Council comment and implementation notes: Councilor Keating emphasized regional coordination and public‑safety benefits; staff noted that the exemption is time‑limited and tied to partner operations and air‑quality oversight.
