Baker County considers controlled burning on county-owned field
By Logan Bagett on Friday, November 28th, 2025 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — (Press Release issued by the Baker County Board of Commissioners)
The Baker County Board of Commissioners will decide whether to approve a controlled burn on the Hughes Lane Field at the December 3rd Commission Session. The Baker County Weed Department, in coordination with its contracted land management partner, proposes conducting a controlled burn on approximately 60 acres of County-owned property located along Hughes Lane within the next two weeks. The project is part of a long-term effort to reduce Russian thistle infestations and improve vegetation health on the site and neighboring properties.
The recently acquired 4-acre parcel containing the historic St. Francis de Sales Cemetery is not planned to be included in the planned burn.
The controlled burn would be followed shortly by no-till drilling and reseeding of the full 64 acres of County-managed land, including the primary burn area and an adjacent 4-acre parcel. The contractor would apply a specialized seed mix intended to establish healthier, more resilient vegetation that will help suppress invasive weeds in future years.
“This work is an important step in reducing overall management costs and improving long-term ecological conditions on the property,” said Gussie Cook, Baker County Weed Department Supervisor. “Burning the existing material will give us a cleaner surface for reseeding and will support stronger germination heading into winter moisture. No-till drilling will reduce concern of soot post burn and would allow for better success of seed germination.”
What the Community Could Expect if the Plan is Approved:
- Visible smoke: Residents should expect noticeable smoke in the area during the burn period.
- Temporary equipment presence: Fire crews and County vehicles may be stationed near the field during the operation.
- Safety coordination: The County plans to work with the City of Baker City to secure required permits and coordinate with the Fire Chief. A fire truck may be on standby as a precaution.
- Notification efforts: Baker County would be reaching out to nearby landowners, sharing information through local media and posting temporary electronic signs near Hughes Lane prior to the burn.
Project Timeline
- Controlled burn: Targeted to begin as early as Thursday, December 4th, and could be completed as early as Friday, December 12, weather depending.
- Revegetation: Immediately following the burn using a no-till drill seeding method.
- Spring 2026: Additional touch-up seeding may occur with leftover seed mix.
Why the Project is Necessary
The field has experienced ongoing issues with Russian thistle (tumbleweed), which has increased management costs and impacted neighboring properties. The combination of burning and reseeding is expected to significantly reduce thistle density and create healthier plant growth by next season.
Contact
For questions or additional details, community members may contact the Baker County Weed Department at 541-524-7666 or gcook@bakercountyor.gov. Community members who wish to express support or concern can attend the Commission Session at the Baker County Courthouse at 9:00 a.m., or can attend virtually through the following link: https://www.bakercountyor.gov/online/meetings.html.
