Story updated with Eugene brush fire at 4:36 p.m. on Monday, July 15
Wildfires in eastern Oregon grew dramatically over the weekend and the danger of new wildfires had increased for the southern and west side of the state.
Three wildfires east of the Cascades burned more than 50,000 acres while the largest — the Cow Valley Fire — burned 132,00 acres. The blazes brought unhealthy air quality to some parts of the region.
Meanwhile, a red flag warning was issued for southern Oregon due to thunderstorms that could bring lightning and ignite new fires. And late Monday, a brush fire ignited near the Eugene Airport.
Here’s the latest on wildfires and alerts statewide.
Brush fire ignites near Eugene Airport
A brush fire erupted south of the Eugene Airport on Monday afternoon, sending plumes of smoke billowing into the sky and alarming nearby residents. The fire, spotted at the intersection of Bodenhamer Road and Green Hill Road in Lane County, quickly spread across two acres, according to Lane County emergency alerts.