An irrigation system in an agricultural field off of 76th Avenue Northeast on Friday, March 12, 2021. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
If you spot smoke northeast of Salem Thursday evening, don’t panic.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture is setting several test fires in the Silverton Hills, the agency said, with potential field burning to follow.
Test fires are set to determine if field burning can safety occur on the same day, agency officials said. Several hundreds acres were set on fire around 3:30 p.m. Thursday, with more field burning potentially to follow.
Up to 15,000 acres of field may be burned in the Willamette Valley each year under Oregon law. The agriculture department regulates the process, which can help control pests and weeds, increase seed yields and reduce the need for tilling soil and erosion.
Members of the public can learn more about field burning on the Department of Agriculture website or sign up to be notified of test fires here.
-Rachel Alexander
