Central Oregon

A national event celebrating conservation partnerships is taking place this week in Central Oregon.  This is the first time the state has hosted Private Lands Partners Day, a three-day national conference that celebrates collaborative conservation work.   “...

Firefighters continue to battle more than a dozen large fires across Oregon, as this extended fire season continues.  And it should come as no surprise, much of that fire activity is primarily east of the Cascades.  Kaitlyn Webb, with the Deschutes National Forest, said vegetation is still very dry.   “We really...

Oregon Department of Forestry officials have lowered the fire danger in the northeast corner of the state from Extreme to High.  While weather conditions have moderated, fire managers say forest fuels remain critically dry and public use restrictions are still in place.  In Cent...

Crook County joins the leaders of seven other counties to formally request the state Legislature discuss moving Oregon’s border.  Last week, County Commissioners sent to Senator Lynn Findley and Representative Vikki Breese Iverson, saying most Crook County voters want lawmakers to talk with Idaho state leaders about relocating the border.  Senator Findl...

Governor Tina Kotek has issued two more drought declarations in Central Oregon.  The emergency declarations for Deschutes and Grant counties clear the way for state coordination of resources in an area now in its fourth year of drought.  ...

It may be cold with snow on the ground, but the U.S. Forest Service is already looking to the fire season ahead.  Oregon’s ongoing drought, more frequent heatwaves and less rain and snow, mean longer and more intense fire seasons.   “The h...

The idea of moving the Idaho/Oregon border appears to be gaining traction in Boise.  Former Oregon House Speaker Mark Simmons, who lives in Elgin (outside of LaGrande), testified recently before Idaho’s House State Affairs Committee, in support of the Greater Idaho Movement.   "We se...

After a month of several winter storms, the Oregon snowpack is much improved from January.  Matt Warbritton, with NRC Oregon, says most basins across the state are near or above average for this time of year.  Some of the best performing basins right now are found in the southeast portion of the state, including:  The Lake County-Goose Lake at 124% of normal  The Owyhee Basin at 118% of average T

Central Oregon’s Crook County remains the only place in the western United States under a D-4, or Exceptional Drought, designation.  And again, county leaders have asked for a state drought declaration.  County Judge Seth Crawford says he’s also talked with the Governor about funding a biomass plant that would use juniper trees to create power, but more studies are needed.   “Then we can go to dif

For many stretches across the Pacific Northwest, the past couple of years have been hot and dry.  And while those conditions have taken a toll on pasture lands across the region, Jeff Clark, Pasture Market Development Specialist with Corteva Agriscience, said proper planning will help ensure those pastures are ready for the heart upcoming season.   “...