Green Hill fire stark reminder of season’s risks
Some Eugene residents had a rude awakening earlier this week as evacuation notices were sent out due to the now contained Bodenhamer Road Fire.
How the fire started is not yet known, but as of July 16, 115 acres had been burned in the area south of Bodenhamer Road and west of Greenhill Road. Sergeant Tim Wallace, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, said fires are initially investigated by the State Fire Marshal. Findings have not been disclosed yet.
The Bodenhamer Road Fire was still considered active although all evacuation notices were rescinded the night before, and there has not yet been a declaration of how much of the land has been contained.
As fire season officially kicks off, it’s important to remember that not just humans need to be evacuated.
Greenhill Humane Society evacuated its 130 animals – ranging from rabbits and guinea pigs to dogs and cats to one rooster – Monday night at 5:30 p.m., and all furry friends returned from their impromptu field trip by 8 p.m. that same night. Each human and animal was checked in and out of the facility to ensure everyone was accounted for and safe.
This was the first time Greenhill has ever had to evacuate its animals and staff to safety, and Sarah Bouzad, community engagement and events manager, said it ran rather smoothly.
“It’s interesting because we are always the ones deployed to help pets and their people. We’re usually assisting in other disasters (like the Holiday Farm Fire), so this was a very unique experience for Greenhill to have to evacuate ourselves.
“Our staff did a really great job of staying calm and not heightening the situation, but they were ready because we are so connected with our animals here, and they trust us,” Bouzad said. “(The animals) always show me how resilient they are, and thankfully they are very used to us putting them in crates. We are used to handling them so they were really, really great.”
Sarah Bouzard, Greenhill Humane Society community engagement and events manager, gives one of the shelter’s dogs that are available for adoption some love the day after needing to evacuate due to the Bodenhamer Road Fire
Greenhill did not disclose which business partner took them in for those few hours, but Bouzard was grateful for the community connections that positively impacted the people and animals affected by the sudden Bodenhamer Road Fire.
Bouzard emphasized that having a thorough evacuation protocol in place was a big reason “everyone was really comfortable and not panicked during the event.” Supplies – like water and food dishes, food and treats, comfort items like blankets and toys, ready-to-go kennels, necessary medications, etc. – were easily gathered, which allowed the Greenhill staff and volunteers to quickly take control of the situation.
The next afternoon, Tuesday, July 16, Greenhill staff were still unloading all the evacuation supplies, especially crates, from the night before.
“I really hope this inspires our community to adopt some animals and free up more space here at the shelter so we can take in (more animals),” Bouzard said.
