Oregon Public Broadcasting

Field burning would be severely curtailed under a bill narrowly approved Thursday in the Oregon Senate.

The measure would end most burning in the Willamette Valley in the next two years.

Grass seed farmers sometimes burn their fields to kill pests and get rid of stubble and weeds.

The bill falls short of an all-out ban. But many rural lawmakers still objected.

Republican Senator Fred Girod said the measure would harm the livelihood of the grass seed farmers he represents.

Fred Girod: “I wish this body would just go out to my district and tell everybody out there ‘We hate you.' This is going to cost one hell of a lot of jobs. Get off our case. This is urban versus rural at its worst.”

Opponents of field burning say it's a health hazard when the smoke drifts into surrounding communities.

The measure now heads to the House, where it's prospects are uncertain since lawmakers could be just days from adjourning.