News

The National Weather Service has issued three hazardous weather conditions for the Willamette Valley over the next few days:

• A Red Flag Warning is in place until this evening at 11:00 p.m.
• An Excessive Heat Warning has been issued until Wednesday, August 16 at 11:00 p.m. 
• An Air Quality Advisory is in effect until Tuesday, August 15 at 5:00 p.m.

In anticipation of these conditions and the increased fire danger, Eugene Springfield Fire (ESF) has staffed additional response vehicles within Eugene and Springfield. These vehicles, called Brush Engines, are designed to respond to fires in rugged terrain. Additionally, Eugene Springfield Fire will have standby staff on-call with predesignated assignments to allow Operations to quickly recall staff in the event of a large-scale or multiple incident emergency event. To support the region’s wildfire response, ESF has deployed staff and resources to incidents in Lane County. The Lookout and Bedrock Fires are not threatening the Eugene-Springfield community, however, it is important to be prepared for all emergencies. 

HOW YOU CAN PREPARE FOR AN EMERGENCY:

EMERGENCY ALERTS: You can sign up to have emergency alerts for Lane County by visiting www.lanealerts.org. In the event of an emergency, alerts and any instructions will be distributed through various methods including radio, television, and telephone.

EUGENE AND SPRINGFIELD EVACUATION ZONES: Eugene and Springfield have designated evacuation zone numbers. In the event of an emergency, these zones will be utilized to communicate which areas are under evacuation. Do you “know your zone”? You can access the interactive map at eugene-or.gov/4732/Emergency-Evacuation-Zones. Lane County uses three types of evacuation notices:

• Level 1- Be READY
  1. Be aware there is a public safety related threat in your area
  2. Monitor social media and maintain situational awareness
  3. Preplan routes and next steps should the evacuation level increase
• Level 2- Be SET
  1. Be set to leave at a moment’s notice
  2. This is the level we would like those with additional needs, pets, livestock, etc. to evacuate if possible; leave if you feel unsafe
  3. This may be the only warning you receive
• Level 3- Go NOW!
  1. Leave immediately!  Extreme danger in your area 
  2. Follow directions of on-scene first responders 

BE FIRE SMART: There are activities that have a higher fire danger than others. Using a campfire or firepit, smoking outdoors, chainsaw usage, cutting/grinding/welding material, mowing dry or cured grass, and using off-road motor vehicles all have a heightened fire danger under our current weather conditions and are strongly discouraged. If you are on public lands, be sure you are aware of and adhere to any restrictions in your location. To check fire restrictions where you may be recreating, you can visit the Oregon Department of Forestry website. 

BE PREPARED: Planning for an emergency before it happens can make all the difference. Identify several routes out of your neighborhood and have a destination in mind of where you can stay if you need to evacuate for several days, and don’t forget to include your pets in your emergency plan. For more information about developing an emergency plan, visit ready.gov/plan.  

AIR QUALITY: Smoke levels can change rapidly. Check current conditions on the Oregon Smoke Information Blog, DEQ’s Air Quality Index, or by downloading the free OregonAIR app on your smartphone. 

CURRENT CONDITIONS: Stay informed on fire conditions and fire restrictions, keeporegongreen.org/current-conditions/.

WILDFIRE CAMERAS: Throughout Oregon, cameras have been stationed to track wildfire activity. You can access the cameras at alertwildfire.org. Cameras that offer views of central and eastern Lane County include Dead Mtn, Buck Mtn, Prairie Ridge, and Deathball Mtn. 

HOW YOU CAN STAY SAFE IN HIGH TEMPERATURES:

There are three simple ways to stay safe in high temperatures, stay cool, stay hydrated, and stay informed. In addition, it’s important to know the signs of heat related illnesses. 

During extremely hot and humid weather, your body's ability to cool itself is challenged. When the body heats too rapidly to cool itself properly, or when too much fluid or salt is lost through dehydration or sweating, body temperature rises and you or someone you care about may experience a heat-related illness. It is important to know the symptoms of excessive heat exposure and the appropriate responses.

Heat Cramps
 Heat cramps may be the first sign of heat-related illness and may lead to heat exhaustion or stroke.

• Symptoms: Painful muscle cramps and spasms usually in legs and abdomen and Heavy sweating.
• First Aid: Apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or gently massage to relieve spasm. Give sips of water unless the person complains of nausea, then stop giving water. 
  Seek immediate medical attention if cramps last longer than 1 hour.

Heat Exhaustion

• Symptoms: Heavy sweating, Weakness or tiredness, cool, pale, clammy skin; fast, weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache, fainting,
• First Aid: Move person to a cooler environment, preferably a well air conditioned room. Loosen clothing. Apply cool, wet cloths or have person sit in a cool bath. Offer sips of water. If person vomits more than once,
  Seek immediate medical attention if the person vomits, symptoms worsen or last longer than 1 hour

Heat Stroke

• Symptoms: Throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103°F, hot, red, dry or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness.
• First Aid: Call 911 or get the victim to a hospital immediately. Heat stroke is a severe medical emergency. Delay can be fatal. Move the victim to a cooler, preferably air-conditioned, environment. Reduce body temperature with cool cloths or bath. Use fan if heat index temperatures are below the high 90s. A fan can make you hotter at higher temperatures. Do NOT give fluids.

Using a fan to blow air in someone’s direction may make them hotter if heat index temperatures are above the 90s. For more information on all of these heat related illnesses, see the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) site.

Cooling Centers in Eugene and Springfield: 

Information about the City of Eugene’s cooling centers is available online: https://eugene-or.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=6194

The City of Springfield has several resources available to help people keep cool including air conditioning in City Hall public areas during regularly scheduled hours. The City Hall fountain will also be running during these times. In addition to City Hall, Willamalane Park and Recreation District has several facilities available for cooling during their regular business hours.

Springfield’s City Hall building, 225 5th St. (office hours vary):

Sunday – Closed (Fountain will be operating 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.)

Monday – 8 a.m.- 7 p.m.

Tuesday – 8 a.m. – 7 p.m.

Wednesday – 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Thursday – 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Friday – 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Saturday – 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Willamalane’s Bob Keefer Center, 250 S. 32nd St.:

Sunday – 12 - 5 p.m.

Monday – Friday 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Saturday – 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Willamalane’s Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St.:

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday – Closed

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