BLM Announces Fire Restrictions To Protect Pacific Northwest Communities -05/16/25

Portland, Ore. —On May 15, fire restrictions will go into effect for all Bureau of Land Management public lands throughout Oregon and Washington. BLM leaders encourage all visitors to be aware of active restrictions and closures as warmer, drier weather is forecasted around the Pacific Northwest. 

 

These fire restrictions help reduce the risk of human-caused fires. Starting May 15, the use of fireworks, exploding targets or metallic targets, steel component ammunition (core or jacket), tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns will be prohibited. 

 

“The number of human-caused fires has only increased over the years,” said BLM Oregon and Washington State Fire Management Officer, Jeff Fedrizzi.  

 

Grasses and other fuels dry out quickly in the summer months, making them highly susceptible to catching fire. It just takes one spark. 

 

“Our first responders, local communities, and public lands will be safer if everyone follows fire restrictions and practices fire safety while out on public lands,” he continued. 

 

Those who violate the prohibition may be fined up to $100,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 12 months. In addition, those found responsible for starting wildland fires on federal lands can be billed for the cost of fire suppression. 

 

For the complete order and more information on seasonal fire restrictions and fire closures, please see www.blm.gov/orwafire. 

May is also ‘Wildfire Awareness Month’. Visit NIFC.GOV for wildfire prevention tips: https://www.nifc.gov/fire-information/fire-prevention-education-mitigation/wildfire-prevention. 

To learn more about fire careers with BLM Oregon-Washington, please see https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire/state-info/oregon-washington/careers. 

 

-BLM-

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.

Celebrate International Dark Sky Week Right Here In Oregon (Photo) -04/23/25

It’s International Dark Sky Week, and there's no better place to celebrate than right here in Oregon. Did you know Oregon is home to the largest International Dark Sky Sanctuary on the planet? That’s right—the world. And the Bureau of Land Management Oregon/Washington has the privilege of caring for it!

 

Spanning an awe-inspiring 2.5 million acres of land in southeastern Oregon, the Oregon Outback Dark Sky Sanctuary—with 1.7 million acres proudly managed by the BLM Lakeview District—offers some of the clearest, most pristine views of the night sky you'll find anywhere. On a clear night, you might spot as many as 15,000 stars twinkling above. That’s a lot more than the 500 visible in most urban areas.

 

“I grew up just outside of Portland, and like most city kids, I never really saw the true night sky,” said Lisa McNee, BLM Public Affairs Specialist. “That all changed when I was 12 and went to a science camp in John Day. We were taken out about a mile from camp, laid on blankets under the stars, and used telescopes to look deep into the universe. That might have been the moment I fell in love with the firmament.”

 

Whether you’re a stargazing pro or someone who loves the calm of a clear night, there’s something special about seeing the stars the way they were meant to be seen: bright and wild, without city lights in the way.

 

"That night sky stayed with me,” McNee continued. “For a while, I even wanted to be an astronaut. Eventually, I realized that flying among the stars wasn’t in the cards for me—I like gravity, as it turns out. But even from Earth, I never stopped dreaming while looking up." 

 

Today, McNee calls the Oregon Outback home—a remote, rugged stretch of southeastern Oregon known for its wild beauty. As part of the BLM’s Lakeview District team, she helps manage the very lands where the night sky remains among the darkest and most pristine in the lower 48.

 

“We're committed to preserving not only the beauty of our lands but also the magic of the night sky,” said McNee. “Oregon offers some of the darkest, most awe-inspiring skies in the nation, and it's our privilege to help protect the starry sanctuary for future generations to enjoy.”

 

Know before you go

Venturing into the Oregon Outback or other remote BLM lands takes a little planning:

• Check the weather and road conditions.
• Bring extra water, warm layers, and a red-light flashlight.
• Let someone know your plans.
• Download maps and stargazing apps ahead of time – cell service can be limited.

 

-BLM-  

 

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. 

BLM Issues Nearly $28 Million To Western Oregon Counties From Timber Revenue -04/22/25