Oregon launches emergency rescue of 500-plus wild horses after drought, wildfire

Federal land managers are launching emergency operations in two areas of southeast Oregon after drought, a dry winter, and recent wildfires left wild horses with limited water and forage.

The Bureau of Land Management began an emergency gather Sept. 3 in the Sheepshead/Heath Creek Herd Management Area and plans to begin another Sept. 9 at Riddle Mountain.

Horses removed from the range will receive veterinary evaluations, feed, and fresh water.

Why are horses being removed from the range?

About 1,200 wild horses live in the Sheepshead/Heath Creek Herd Management Area, where ongoing drought has sharply reduced access to water.

“Ongoing drought has left this herd with only two of the usual 63 water sources available,” said Cassandra Andrews-Fleckenstein, deputy district manager for the Vale District. “We are taking this necessary, humane step to prevent widespread suffering and a further decline in the animals’ health.”

The agency plans to gather up to 499 horses.

Near Burns, the Bald Mountain Fire swept through Riddle Mountain in August, burning roughly two-thirds of the forage used by wild horses in an area already experiencing drought.

“We can’t leave these horses out on the burned landscape,” Burns District Manager Don Rotell said.

The BLM says the removals will protect the health of the horses while reducing pressure on drought- and fire-affected rangeland.

Can the public watch the Riddle Mountain gather?

Limited public and media viewing is planned for Sept. 9 and 10 at Riddle Mountain. Attendance is by reservation and is expected to be limited to 10 to 15 people per day.

Anyone interested in attending must reserve a spot by emailing blm_or_wa_press@blm.gov by 4 p.m. on the business day before the viewing date.

Can the wild horses be adopted?

Horses removed during the emergency operations will be taken to off-range facilities for care and evaluation. Some may later become available for adoption through the BLM.