Evacuations lifted on fire at Eugene Airport

Editor's note: This article has been changed to incorporate a series of updates from late Monday.

A brush fire erupted south of the Eugene Airport Monday afternoon, sending plumes of smoke billowing into the sky and alarming nearby residents as it set a building ablaze off Green Hill Road.

The fire, spotted near the intersection of Green Hill and Bodenhamer Road in Lane County, quickly spread across two acres, according to Lane County emergency alerts.

The blaze was first reported just after 4 p.m., with smoke visible from various vantage points throughout the region. Local fire departments swiftly responded to the scene with at least five engines, working to contain the flames and prevent further spread. A helicopter arrived shortly before 5 p.m.

By 5:30 p.m., a structure, believed to be a barn, was reported to be on fire.

There were no immediate reports of injuries. However, the Lane County Sheriff's Office issued a "Level 2" evacuation order for a zone south of Bodenhamer and west of Green Hill.

"You must prepare to leave at a moment's notice, and this may be the only notice that you receive," read the alert.

Residents were advised to avoid the area to allow emergency personnel to conduct their operations safely. Evacuees were directed to reunify at Prairie Mountain School, 5305 Royal Ave.

By 6:15 p.m., officials escalated the evacuation notice to "Level 3" for residents in the immediate area of the fire.

"Level 3 means leave immediately! Do NOT take time to gather things. GO NOW!" read an alert issued by Lane County emergency services.

By 7:45 p.m., the evacuations were downgraded to "Level 1", with residents asked to "stay ready" in case conditions worsened.

A "Level 1" evacuation was in place for areas farther south, from Royal Avenue to Fern Ridge Lake, with residents advised to watch closely for further instructions. Lane County emergency services managers were posting updates at www.lanecounty.org/bodenhamer .

By Monday evening, crews were working to mop up the last parts of the fire, working to keep it contained to an area bordered by Green Hill, Bodenhamer and the nearby Amazon Creek.

The fire danger waned as crews worked to establish tight fire lines and put out small hot spots. The fire was mapped at an estimated 115 acres.

The evacuation orders were later lifted, with the Lane County Sheriff's Office announcing Tuesday morning that residents should call 911 if they see new flames.

David DeMille is the news editor at The Register-Guard. Reach him at DDeMille@RegisterGuard.com .

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: Evacuations lifted on fire at Eugene Airport