Eugene’s Moon Mountain Park will remain closed until July 28 while Parks and Open Spaces staff assess conditions of the trail and any hazards following the 34-acre wildfire.
The July 3 fire occurred in the park’s prairie areas, which are covered by low vegetation and grass. Parks officials say the department’s 15-year efforts to reduce fuel and restore habitat at the park guaranteed firefighters better access during the containment process.
Steep terrain, windy weather, blackberry bushes and poison oak made containment difficult, but responders were able to extinguish the fire in a few days. The Oregon Department of Forestry, Eugene Springfield Fire, Pleasant Hill Goshen Fire and Rescue, as well as various contractors, were among the responding teams.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Parks officials said they will work on a long-term site restoration plan for the park following the temporary closure.
Those interested in keeping tabs of the on-site restoration can sign up for updates at eugene-or.gov/5137/Moon-Mountain-Site-Resoration.
Charles Gearing is a breaking news reporter for the Eugene Register-Guard. He can be contacted at cgearing@gannett.com or by phone at (708)262-7626.
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