Only You Can Prevent
Sagebrush Fires

success

Central Oregon’s “Backyard Wilderness”

Central Oregon’s “Backyard Wilderness”

Our quest to protect the Oregon Badlands

Located just 15 miles east of Bend, Oregon Badlands is a 30,000-acre wilderness area filled with fascinating lava flows and ancient juniper trees Arriving in the Badlands, so named for its rugged and harsh terrain, can feel like stepping

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voices

Sarah Graham, Sage Society Member

Sarah Graham, Sage Society Member

“I contribute to ONDA monthly because it adds up to a larger annual gift than what I’d be able to comfortably afford if I were to do a simple one-time donation annually. I’m able to give more to ONDA this way and have greater impact which is important to me, and my dog Polly.”

listen

South Fork Crooked River and Birds

South Fork Crooked River and Birds

With fire season approaching in Oregon’s high desert, here are three regulations to know and follow:
  1. All motorists should have required fire prevention equipment in their vehicle to ensure fire prevention and personal safety. With the exception of traveling on state and county roads, you are required to have: an axe, a shovel, and one gallon of water and/or one 2.5 pound or larger fire extinguisher.
  2. Smoking in wildland areas is permitted only in enclosed vehicles on roads.
  3. Open fires, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, are permitted only at posted and designated sites.
  • “Axe” means a wood cutting tool having a handle of not less than 26 inches in length and a head weight of not less than 2 pounds.
  • “Shovel” means a digging tool having a handle not less than 26 inches in length and a blade of not less than 8 inches in width. 

Know what is required by the BLM: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/get-involved/fire-prevention

And, here’s a bit more advice to keep in mind for a safe and enjoyable desert trip:
  • Avoid driving on roads where you see plants growing in the roadbed because they could catch fire after contacting your tailpipe or other hot parts of your vehicle.
  • Park only in areas where grasses and other vegetation will not be in contact with your vehicle.
  • Regularly check the undercarriage of your vehicle for debris or other flammable materials.
  • If you notice that your vehicle has come to a stop above flammable plant material, douse the area with water.
  • Know the fire risk of the areas you are traveling in

Find the latest conditions and restrictions: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions

 

Safety Tips

Following these suggestions will help you travel safely through the high desert of eastern Oregon and enjoy fragile places responsibly. Desert Safety: Drink plenty of water. Eastern Oregon is arid, and you may need to carry more water than you are used to in other environments. Be conservative and carry more than you need until […]

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Southeast Oregon Resource Management Plan Amendment

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is amending its Resource Management Plan (RMP) in the Owyhee Canyonlands region. The amendment process will make important decisions that impact how this eastern Oregon treasure is managed for the next several decades. At the heart of the plan is public participation, take action now to ensure public lands […]

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Only You Can Prevent
Sagebrush Fires

By on July 1, 2019 | Posted in: How-To

You might think of forests when you think “wildfire,” but, as OPB reported in May, nearly 75 percent of all acres burned in the west over the past two decades were on rangelands — not forest. As someone who lives in or visits sagebrush country, you have an important responsibility to help prevent human-caused...

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Terry Butler, 2018 Volunteer of the Year

By on June 6, 2019 | Posted in:

“If I have to pick a favorite place in Oregon’s high desert, it would be Sutton Mountain, but I’m excited about all of the Wilderness Study Areas,” says Terry, adding, “Each is a gem to explore, and I hope they all get protection someday… I love the scale of the physical beauty of the...

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Senator Merkley Steps Up
for Sutton Mountain

By on May 22, 2019 | Posted in: In the News

Today, Sen. Jeff Merkley, announced that he will introduce the Sutton Mountain and Painted Hills Area Preservation and Economic Enhancement Act that would establish the Sutton Mountain Wilderness to protect an area in the John Day River Basin renowned for spectacular scenery and prime wildlife habitat. “With this legislation, we’ll make sure that future...

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Lower John Day Working Group Place Based Planning Meeting

By on May 10, 2019 | Posted in:

You are invited to attend a public outreach meeting of the Lower John Day Place-Based Planning work group. We will be discussing water demands in the lower John Day Basin and seeking your input on potential solutions. Please join us for dinner and expert presentations. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) will present...

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Central Oregon Backcountry

Desert Wilderness Retrospective

By on April 2, 2019 | Posted in: Look Back

A Tale of Two Wilderness Areas: Badlands and Spring Basin On March 30, 2009, President Obama signed a massive public lands package into law, with the Oregon Badlands Wilderness and Spring Basin Wilderness among the many places protected. Besides sharing the same birthday and being located in Oregon’s high desert, the Badlands and Spring...

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Dark Desert Skies

By on March 29, 2019 | Posted in: How-To, Where-to

For those of us who have spent time in Oregon’s high desert, there is no need to explain how truly dark skies showcase the wonders of the stars viewable by the naked eye. Night skies relatively free from light pollution — that is, human-created artificial lighting and atmospheric disturbances such as smog — will...

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John Day River

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument Fence Retrofit

By on February 21, 2019 | Posted in:

Help retrofit miles of fence to make the landscape safer for wildlife at the Clarno unit of this National Monument

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Cottonwood Canyon State Park BDA Install #1

By on February 21, 2019 | Posted in:

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Cottonwood Canyon BDA Install #2

By on February 21, 2019 | Posted in:

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Cottonwood Canyon BDA Install #3

By on February 21, 2019 | Posted in:

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