Willamalane Conducting Controlled Ecological Burns at Dorris Ranch Today
Dorris Ranch is partially closed on Friday, October 6
Willamalane Park and Recreation District will conduct an ecological – or prescribed – burn at Dorris Ranch today, weather permitting. This work is made possible with Rivers to Ridges partners, permitting through Lane Regional Air Protection Agency, and local partners Eugene-Springfield Fire and Oregon Department of Forestry.
For the safety of park visitors, the park will be partially closed. All paths, main parking areas, and entry points will be closed to the public today and tomorrow. Visitors to the park should be aware of posted localized smoky conditions and fire crews within the park during the burn. Signs will be posted at the park notifying visitors of the closures.
Ecological burns are conducted with the safety of neighbors and the greater community in mind. Weather, humidity, and wind conditions must be just before a burn can proceed. New air quality restrictions mean that burning won’t happen if the Air Quality Index is above 100, which is unhealthy for sensitive groups. Schedule updates about this work will be posted online at willamalane.org/alerts.
About ecological burning at Dorris Ranch
The ecological burn will help enhance the oak prairie habitat. Restoring oak prairie and savanna habitat is an important part of preserving the history of the land and the health of the ecosystems at Dorris Ranch.
Dorris Ranch contains a variety of fragile oak habitats, including woodland, prairie, and savanna, that support diverse wildlife. This land is part of less than 5% of historic oak woodland and 1% of prairie habitats in the Willamette Valley.
Re-introducing ecological burning as a land management strategy has several benefits today, including recycling nutrients in the soil, reducing fuel for uncontrolled wildfire, and replicating the historic disturbance native species have evolved to depend on.
