Annual Field Burning in Willamette Valley? (Eugene, Salem: live, cost, law)

[Zaney]

Can anyone who knows the Willamette Valley tell me about the field burning that occurs every summer. Specifically how bad is the air quality at that time and what is your experience. From what I read, it sounds like Eugene, Harrisburg, Salem get the worst of it. How far away do I have to be to not be affected by it? Do I have to be out at the coast? or is Corvallis far enough away.

I was planning a trip there but now think I'll wait til ...they are finished.

Any thoughts?

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by Zaney

Can anyone who knows the Willamette Valley tell me about the field burning that occurs every summer. Specifically how bad is the air quality at that time and what is your experience. From what I read, it sounds like Eugene, Harrisburg, Salem get the worst of it. How far away do I have to be to not be affected by it? Do I have to be out at the coast? or is Corvallis far enough away.

I was planning a trip there but now think I'll wait til ...they are finished.

Any thoughts?

You'll be happy to know that this is the last summer that the field burnings will be allowed legally! And this summer, they are limiting the number of acres which can be burned... here's an article for you: News Updates | "Lawmakers pass ban on field burning" | The Register-Guard | Eugene, Oregon

Yay!

[Zaney]

Thanks for the link. I cant believe they have been doing that since the 40s. Amazing! I always thought of Oregon as a "green" state but all that smoke doesn't do much for the environment.

I second your Yay!

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by Zaney

all that smoke doesn't do much for the environment.

But neither will the pesticides and herbicides that are replacing field burning. There just isn't any win-win solution here.

[Terryj]

Originally Posted by haggardhouseelf

You'll be happy to know that this is the last summer that the field burnings will be allowed legally! And this summer, they are limiting the number of acres which can be burned... here's an article for you: News Updates | "Lawmakers pass ban on field burning" | The Register-Guard | Eugene, Oregon

Yay!

Now if they can just pass a law banning wildfires in Oregon, I hate it when the smoke settles into the valleys and stays for a week or two.

[Smiled]

Maybe more of the land will be used to produce food crops rather than grass seed. The golf course market is currently very soft.
The smoke itself dissipates, but I-5 is in close proximity to the burning fields, and there are more and more people in the valley every year (though this year may change that).

[morningstar77]

The field burnings are nothing like they were years ago. They light a fire, you'll be able to see a smoke plum, and if the wind conditions are right, it's over quickly. Of course theres the smell of a freshly charred field.....but it's not like the whole valley is burning at once, I wouldn't let that stop my plans. I've visited other states where the daily air quality was far worse.
That being said I sure won't miss the burns!

[kferrill15]

Field burning is not that big of a deal. It does not make people have asthma. That is a myth. Farmers have been burning for years in Oregon and they have had no problems. With this ban its going to cost farmers lost of money for pestisides which arent even going to get rid of all the disease and diesal. That means that any farmer who buys for from their animals could be in risk. Field burning was the number one and really the only way to get rid of the diseases.
The burning is very controlled and you never see it for that long. Now that it is banned you will see more tilling, fuel burning, and dust which is way worse than burning that really only lasts a day and its gone. You will see more smoke for a longer period of time. You really think banning it was a good idea? I dont think so.
Now some farmers lives are going to be different just because of a lady who complained about how her daughter couldnt breathe during softball. That doesnt affect that at all. I play softball and i'm fine.
I work on a farm so this irritates me to know end.
Someone please back me up!

[kferrill15]

Field burning was the number one way to get rid of disease. Banning field burning is going to make farmers lives very difficult and its going to cost way more for them to get pestisides and diesal. The smoke never lasted that long and it was very controlled. From this ban there is going to be more tilling and diesal polluting the air. Tilling will cause more dust and will last longer than one day of field burning.
Farmers were very careful and obviously knew what they were doing.
Animals will be in danger now because the pestisides wont get rid of all the disease which will make animals sick. You really think burning is that bad if its making sure there is no disease? I dont think so.
Dont believe that mother either for saying field burning made her daughter have asthma and she couldnt play softball. Biggest load of crap.
I hope all of you regret your descision on field burning you are just making it harder for farmers.
Please someone back me up!

[malachai23]

I grew up in the country outside of Salem and around Salem as a kid, and I never had any issues with the field burning. No one in my large family had or has athsma or breathing problems. I used to enjoy watching the giant smoke clouds as a kid - counting them, trying to figure out which would end up being the largest. **If** we ever actually got a whiff of one of the burns, it was a smell I really enjoyed - kind of like woodsmoke in the fall.

I didn't realize field burning was being banned for good. I guess that's the end of an era. I wonder if they are still allowed to use the smog pots in the orchards? Or have those been banned as well?