The Harney County Wildfire Collaborative began testing megafire prevention methods in September with a pilot project in a high fire risk area at the south end of the Pueblo Mountains.

Formed in 2014, the Harney County Wildfire Collaborative, a collaborative of the High Desert Partnership, has brought together representatives from county, federal and state agencies, local Rangeland Fire Protection Associations, the Burns Paiute Tribe, conservation groups, as well as scientists and ranchers to facilitate conversations around how to fight and prevent megafires in Harney County.

The group’s first major project is the National Environmental Policy Act approved Pueblo Mountain Pilot Project, which focuses on preventing a megafire by creating a vegetated fuel break along a road corridor between Oregon End Table and Hawks Valley. Read more.

Photo by Jeremy Hill of a Burns Helitack member, Walter Riley, blacklining the East side of the Pueblo Mountain burn unit. Blacklining is preburning of fuels adjacent to a control line before igniting a prescribed burn.

"That diversity that often you see divides people around issues, we're using that diversity to come up with unique ideas and unique problem solving. That's what makes HDP successful is the people  . . . their relationships . . . and the diversity in thought perspective." ~Chad Karges

This is one thought shared from Chad Karges during a presentation and Q&A he, Gary Marshall and Brenda Smith gave at an event Friday, Sep 27 in Bend. This event was made possible through a partnership between City Club of Eugene and City Club of Central Oregon. Watch the talk for more about collaboration in Harney County. As one attendee to the event shared: "Wow, there's a lot going on in Harney County."

That's what we may be doing at this year's Wetland Conservancy's annual Wetlands & Wellies. Award winning chefs will prepare small plates of Oregon’s iconic wetland delicacies while also introducing your palate to some less known, non-native foods that are living in our wetlands. It will be an evening of new tastes including tasting Harney Basin carp. Find more about this event here.

Wednesday, November 20 | High Desert Partnership Board Meeting

Check out this new short film about Malheur Lake, its current condition and what is being learned to help stage its revival.

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Consider leaving a gift to The High Desert Partnership in your will or trust so you can help 
Harney County's rural communities. You will help to protect the social fabric, economy and natural resources of Harney County for years to come. Contact info@highdesertpartnership.org for information.