To be clear, the outdoor burning season is not due to air quality but is tied to fire threat. Del may be surprised to know there has already been a fire in the coast range near Florence west of the tunnel from a debris fire getting out of control. It is dryer than he thinks. As to leaf pick-up, that has more to do with being inside the Eugene Springfield Urban Growth boundary and part of the NPDES Permit for storm water discharge from the urban storm drainage systems to the Willamette River. We don't pick up leaves around Cottage Grove or up the McKenzie River either.

Fire fighting authority for wild land fires rests in two districts that basically split Lane County in half at I-5. The West Lane Fire Protection Authority sets  fire restrictions for both the valley side and the coast side. I think Del may want to talk them about fire hazards west of the tunnel.