Vale’s new fire danger sign indicated a ‘HIGH’ rating on June 9, 2021 as temperatures rose and fields dried out. But since then, the danger has been reduced. (The Enterprise/Angelina Katsanis) ONTARIO – Get out your fire rings and your burn barrels – the summer’s burn ban will be lifted[Read More…]

Mule deer cross the road using an underpass at Lava Butte. (Submitted photo) HARPER – A new study being finalized could be the key to new wildlife crossings along U.S. 20 between Juntura and Harper that could save mule deer from highway mayhem. Most of the 34-mile stretch through the[Read More…]

A stretch of the Malheur River outside Vale. (The Enterprise/Liliana Frankel) WASHINGTON, D.C. – Portions of the Owyhee River in Malheur County and several of its tributaries would be designated “wild and scenic” under legislation pending in the U.S. Senate. They are among 4,700 miles of rivers and streams in[Read More…]

A stretch of raw land near Ironside in Malheur County. (The Enterprise/Rachel Parsons) A research project by Oregon State University’s Extension Service in Malheur County is examining whether grazing on invasive grasses can help mitigate wildfire threats in the sagebrush steppe. The goals behind the study are to improve rangeland[Read More…]

Roundup is the most widely used herbicide in Malheur County and the world, according to state and local officials. However, its future and safety is at stake following a recent California court decision. (The Enterprise/Max Egener) ONTARIO — People have relied on the herbicide Roundup to get rid of pesky[Read More…]

Sage-grouse photo by Bob Wick of the BLM. ONTARIO – Changes to plans to manage sage-grouse lands in Oregon will be explained at meeting scheduled for this Wednesday evening in Ontario. The U.S. Bureau of Land Management has scheduled the public meeting for 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the[Read More…]

Protecting rangeland with projects such as seeding is the driving force behind a new experiment that involves grazing. (BLM photo) JORDAN VALLEY – Rancher Mark Mackenzie is embarking a science experiment that could help cattle, sage grouse and federal rangelands. He’s hoping to prove that cattle can help check the[Read More…]