Neighbors tour Moon Mountain Park to learn about recovery efforts following wildfire

EUGENE, Ore. — Neighbors checked out Moon Mountain Park Saturday to learn about the City of Eugene's recovery efforts following the wildfire that hit the park in early July.

The fire, which burned approximately 37 acres of the park, was dealt with quickly and the park reopened soon after.

Sunday morning, the City educated neighbors on the response and explained how recovery efforts will be handled going forward.

“First of all, we're asking people to respect the wonderful wildflowers here at Moon Mountain Park, and the legacy oak trees,” said Emily Steel, an ecologist with Eugene Parks and Open Space. “Stay on foot paths that are visible. Now that everything is burned, it seems easy to walk cross-country up here, but we really want to protect the native biodiversity up here.”

The City will now begin repair efforts around the park starting with dead shrubs and surrounding trees.

The full process is expected to take a few years to complete.

“I think we'll see a lot of recovery in the first year, and that will also figure out where things are not recovering,” Steele continued. “One thing I didn't mention a few minutes ago was invasive species. We do expect some invasive species to come back, so we're going to be controlling those too. Invasive species and dead, woody vegetation removal will probably take a few years.”

Volunteer efforts will also take place later this year, replanting bulbs and other plants displaced by the Moon Mountain Fire.