Forestland classification; fire danger; Science Factory; and School Board

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Forestland Classification Committee to display findings

Another public meeting in the Florence area will be held later this month to show residents which properties have been classified as needing wildland fire protection.  Those same properties will then be assessed a charge by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

The Forestland Classification Committee for Lane County has met several times in the last year.  That’s because landowners who had not been previously assessed, were added to the rolls in 2015.  Many of them complained, prompting the current process.

The outcome of those reviews will be on display September 26th from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Florence Events Center, then again September 29th in Lowell and finally October 3rd at Lane Community College’s main campus in Eugene.

Fire danger persists

The nip in the overnight air hasn’t yet extinguished wildfire season in Lane County.  One example of that was the Red Flag Warnings posted yesterday in the Eugene-Springfield area.

Another example was a wildland fire in the Mountain Gate area of Springfield over the weekend.  Nearby residents watch a fast moving fire climb Potato Hill and wondered what they could do to protect their homes.

Eugene-Springfield Deputy Fire Marshall Amy Lindner said there are several things that anyone living in the fringe between city and forest can do.

First of all, be aware that open burning is still banned throughout Lane County.  Second, keep needles, branches and other debris cleaned off your roof.  Remove combustibles such as lumber and firewood from beneath your deck or move it away from your home.  Prune low hanging branches and remove flammable items within 30 feet of all structures.

Fire chiefs in Lane County will be meeting in two weeks to review the possibility of calling an end to fire season October 1st… or extending it if need be.

Science Factory offering view from space

You’ll be able to catch a “view from space” beginning this weekend at the Science Factory in Eugene where they will debut a new display featuring a satellite’s perspective September 17th.

It was created by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry with funding from NASA and gives visitors the view from several different earth observing satellites.

Visitors will be able to study satellite images, seeing what scientists see, as they try to answer important questions.

The Science Factory opened in 1961.  It’s a non-profit “hands-on” science museum located on Leo Harris Parkway next to Autzen Stadium in Eugene.  It’s open Wednesdays through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

School board to talk self evaluation

The Siuslaw School Board will work on goal setting and self evaluation this week.

The board will meet Wednesday evening, 6:30, at the District Office on Oak Street.

When they get together they’ll talk about a self evaluation process as well as the process for evaluating the job performance of Superintendent Andy Gzreskowiak.

Gzreskowiak is also expected to review facility planning with the board.