Howard Buford Recreation Area closing, campfires prohibited as fire danger increases
Howard Buford Recreation Area is closing, and fires are prohibited in Lane County campgrounds, beaches and day use areas as easterly winds ramp up fire danger.
Lane County announced the closure of the park, which contains Mount Pisgah and Swing Hill, on Thursday ahead of a Red Flag Warning for western Oregon.
The closure of Lane County's largest park includes trails, the Mount Pisgah Arboretum and access to the Coast Fork Willamette River and will last until at least Saturday.
County parks officials will reevaluate weather conditions and fire danger before deciding whether to reopen the park on Sunday.
Closures at the park for fire danger aren't uncommon, and around 50 acres on the southeastern flank of Mount Pisgah burned in a wildfire a little more than two years ago.
Pre-scheduled events at Mount Pisgah Arboretum’s White Oak Pavilion will be allowed to continue, according to a news release, and staff will work with the event planners to ensure the events are conducted safely.
Lane County also announced that campfires in county campgrounds, day use areas and beaches are prohibited from 8 p.m. Thursday through at least 6 p.m. Sunday.
Additionally, all campfires in Lane County campgrounds, day use areas and beaches are prohibited effective at 8 p.m. Thursday through at least 6 p.m. Sunday.
People can still use stoves and propane fire pits that can be turned off by a valve as long as they use them on blacktop or gravel surfaces.
Contact city government watchdog Megan Banta at mbanta@registerguard.com. Follow her on Twitter @MeganBanta_1.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Howard Buford Recreation Area closing, fires banned amid fire danger
