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Practice burns from government agencies north of Eugene and Springfield pushed smoke into the southern Willamette Valley cities Thursday, Sept. 10.
The practice supports upcoming agricultural burning — also called field burning — which removes straw and roots from grass and seed farms, according to the Oregon Department of Agriculture.
The department announced on Facebook Thursday morning that it was preparing for burns in the Drakes Crossing, Stayton, Silverton and Sublimity fire districts midafternoon. The Halsey Fire Department announced another practice burn, which satellites picked up happening around 8 p.m. between the Willamette River and Interstate 5.
The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency can’t confirm a source, but spokesperson Matt Sorensen noted wind blew from the north into the northwest of Springfield.
At Springfield City Hall, and in west and north Eugene, agency air monitors registered an uptick in particle pollution around 9 p.m.
Air quality is measured on the Air Quality Index scale from 0 to 500, color-coded, with higher numbers indicating worse conditions and dark red signaling hazardous air. Thursday’s readings came in the low-moderate in the high 50s and low 60s.
Particle pollution consists of tiny materials that can be inhaled deep into the lungs, with the smallest particles able to pass into the bloodstream. Research links exposure to causing or worsening lung and heart disease, increasing the risk of premature birth, among other risks.
Agricultural burns are similar to prescribed burns: a means to reduce hazardous fuel buildup, lowering the risk of accidental ignition from human activity and potential wildfires. With prescribed burns, it’s a matter of a little smoke now to avoid a lot of smoke later, experts say.
Field burning operates under strict limits after decades of public health advocates pushing for regulations.
