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Page 1 of 2 <br /> City of Eugene, Oregon www.ci.eugene.or.us <br /> ® Living in Eugene I Arts/Leisure I Business I Travel I Mayor/Council I This Week I References I Get Involved <br /> Departments I City A to Z I Jobs I Search I Home <br /> NEWS RELEASES <br /> CURRENT ARTICLES I ARCHIVE I HOME PAGE <br /> Controlled Burn Will Clear Out Brush in Wilamut Natural Area on Monday <br /> September 19, 03 <br /> Blackberries and other non-native vegetation on an eight-acre portion of Alton <br /> Baker Park will be removed through a controlled burn on Monday, September 22. <br /> Unless the weather is too wet or too hot and windy, the burn is scheduled to begin <br /> at approximately 1 p.m. in the Whilamut Natural Area, located west of 1-5 on the <br /> north bank of the Willamette River. During the controlled burn, North Walnut from <br /> Day Island Road to 1-5 will be closed, but all other bicycle and pedestrian paths in <br /> that portion of the park are scheduled to be open. For public safety reasons, access <br /> to the burn area will be restricted. However, the prescribed fire, unlike a wild fire, is <br /> quite safe and will be completely controlled and contained by the Eugene Fire <br /> Department. <br /> The Fire Department is partnering with the Parks and Open Space Division of <br /> Eugene Public Works to perform the controlled burn, which will serve two purposes. <br /> The Fire Department will use it as a training opportunity to practice wildland <br /> firefighting methods. The Public Works Department will use the fire as a restoration <br /> tool. <br /> Historically, prairies in the Willamette Valley were burned frequently by Native <br /> Americans. By reintroducing this ecological process, Park and Open Space staff <br /> hope to reduce weedy exotic species, remove built-up thatch, and provide an <br /> opportunity to reseed the area with native prairie species. <br /> # # # <br /> For additional information contact: <br /> Trevor Taylor <br /> 541-682-4880 <br /> tra vor.h.to yl or@ci.a ugene.or.us <br /> City of Eugene <br /> CURRENT ARTICLES I ARCHIVE I HOME PAGE <br /> Webweaver I Website Disclaimer I Privacy Policy I Contact Us <br /> iLCity of Eugene,777 Pearl Street,Eugene,Oregon 97401 USA <br /> (541) 682-5010 <br /> http://www.ci.eugene.or.us/articles/1299.asp 9/24/03 <br />