Two wildfires continue to burn in steep, heavily forested terrain in rural parts of Lane County.
The Lane Regional Air Protection Agency reported a decline in air quality due to smoke from wildfires. The Air Quality Index on Sept. 19 was measured at 55, which is moderate.
The National Weather Service in Portland predicts both Lane and Linn counties have a low potential for isolated thunderstorms near the Cascades on Sept. 19. Otherwise, Eugene and Springfield area residents can expect a weekend of mostly clear skies and temperatures in the 70s and low 80s. On Sept. 21, there is a 60% chance of rain.
The Register-Guard is tracking weather updates, warnings, evacuations and fires. Here’s what you need to know.
Foley Ridge Fire
A helicopter makes water drops runs from the McKenzie River to the Foley Ridge Fire near Highway 126 east of Springfield Sept. 18, 2025.
A Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation status remained in effect on Sept. 19 for households on Highway 242, starting at the Highway 126 interchange and extending east to the county line.
Level 2 (Be Set) means residents must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice, and this may be the only notice they receive. If you have a disability, children or large animals, the sheriff’s office urges you to consider leaving now.
The lightning-caused fire, now estimated at 482 acres and 0% containment, has resulted in numerous closures. Approximately 372 personnel were assigned to the fire.
According to the Nevada Type 3 Incident Management Team, fire activity has moderated due to increased relative humidity. However, the most active area of the fire, the western flank, is spreading laterally down the canyon along Foley Ridge. Crews are assessing opportunities to engage with the fire directly, patrolling and securing hot spots, and are conducting chipping operations along Foley Ridge Road and Highway 242.
An excavator builds a fire line along Highway 242 in an attempt to contain the Foley Ridge Fire east of Springfield.
Incident Command said a strategic burn operation near the southwest corner of the fire area was conducted within the last few days to eliminate unburned fuel between the fire’s edge and an established containment line. Ground crews are also engaged in mop-up efforts to secure the burnout area.
Emigrant Fire
The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team took command over the Emigrant Fire burning in a rural area 20 miles southeast of Oakridge on Sept. 18. The fire, caused by a lightning strike, was first reported on Aug. 24.
The size of the fire was reported at 32,372 acres at 41% containment. A total of 766 personnel were assigned.
According to incident command, firefighters were taking advantage of favorable weather conditions to secure fire lines, patrol the fire perimeter and mop up. Crews were working to remove fuels generated by suppression work and where mop-up has occurred, firefighters are working to repair areas disturbed by firefighting operations.
Wildland firefighter injured fighting Emigrant Fire
On Sept. 8, an 8-year veteran of the Zigzag hotshots, Chris Stash, was struck by a tree while working with crews to suppress the Emigrant Fire. His injuries required immediate extraction by helicopter, according to a GoFundMe page.
“Anyone who has spent five minutes with Stash knows how genuine a person he is and how much he enjoys hunting and the outdoors,” a post to the GoFundMe page said. “He is an individual whose personality shines bright in any situation.”
Organizers said the income generated from the fundraiser will be used to cover Stash’s lost income and for recovery expenses.
Haleigh Kochanski is a breaking news and public safety reporter for The Register-Guard. You may reach her at HKochanski@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Oregon wildfires: Firefighter injured, Foley Ridge evacuations and more
