Latest news with #BureauOfLandManagement
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Thousands of lightning strikes spark dozens of new wildland fires around Alaska
Jun. 19—Lightning, wind and warmth have sparked and fueled dozens of new wildland fires around Alaska, including several near communities. Nearly 50 new fires were reported across the state Tuesday and Wednesday following widespread thunderstorms. The 20-acre Obrien Fire north of Fairbanks was spotted Tuesday and by Wednesday prompted the closure of the western portion of the White Mountains National Recreation Area, according to the Bureau of Land Management Alaska Fire Service. The closure includes trails, public-use cabins, trail shelters and the Wickersham Dome Trailhead at Mile 28 of the Elliott Highway. The fire has the potential to reach the Summit Trail within the next 24 hours and could soon threaten public use cabins, fire officials said. Near Fairbanks, two lightning-caused fires were burning near each other northwest of the Salcha River, according to the Alaska Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fires, estimated Wednesday at 40 and 25 acres, were "expected to grow closer together" as burning continues, officials said. The fires prompted Fairbanks North Star Borough officials on Wednesday night to issue a "ready" evacuation order for the Salcha River corridor starting at the community of Salcha along the Richardson Highway. Under 20 people live in the area though there are more than 250 structures, according to a borough map. Earlier in the week, borough officials issued similar orders — recommending residents monitor emergency information and be prepared — for areas of Chena Hot Springs Road. Crews are working to build a perimeter around a small fire two miles north of Mile 24 of the road. Another, larger fire north of the Yukon River and directly across from Rampart was estimated at 200 acres "and growing fast" on Wednesday night when smokejumpers arrived, according to Bureau of Land Management fire service officials. The smokejumpers opted against taking direct action due to the fire's intensity and late time of day, officials said in a release. "Instead, they are working closely with the community to evaluate what additional resources may be needed in the coming days to protect Rampart and several Alaska Native allotments on both sides of the river." Other new wildfires include two lightning-caused blazes about 25 miles northwest of Huslia near a few cabins, BLM fire officials said. Tuesday was the most active lightning day across the state this season and since 2021, with more than 15,700 strikes, according to the Alsaka Interagency Coordination Center. As of Thursday morning, 24 new fires were burning around the state and more than 80 considered active, according to the Alaska Interagency Coordination Center.
Wall Street Journal
16 hours ago
- Business
- Wall Street Journal
America's Big, Beautiful Land Sale
Uncle Sam owns nearly half of the land west of the Rockies, and GOP lawmakers want to give states and businesses a tiny piece of the action. Selling a small amount of federal land would raise revenue and spur development, so why are some Republicans trying to protect the government's hoard? The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee announced a plan last week to sell public land as part of the GOP's reconciliation bill. The proposal designates about 258 million acres of land—40% of federal holdings—as potentially available for sale. It directs the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management to sell up to 3.3 million acres from these designated zones. The areas up for sale would exclude land with dedicated uses such as national parks and monuments, and land previously leased for mining, energy production and other activities. The plan directs federal agencies to prioritize selling land that is near existing roads or suitable for home-building. Agencies would consult governors before auctioning land in their states, and state and local governments would have the right to make an offer before private bidders. The selloffs would put unused resources in the hands of owners who commit to invest. The available land includes areas that are sometimes used for cattle grazing, but ranchers and other users would have ample time to comment before these parcels are sold. The sales would also raise money to offset tax cuts in the rest of the bill.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Daily Mail
Hikers in Oregon and Washington beauty spots warned to watch out for unexpectedly angry animals
Hikers have been warned to watch out for angry animals causing chaos across hundreds of miles of picturesque countryside spanning Oregon and Washington. The Bureau of Land Management has issued an alert about 'aggressive mountain goats' following several incidents involving boaters on the Grande Ronde River. Officials shared the advisory for areas between Alder Creek close to Portland, and Meadow Creek which lies around 300 miles east of the Oregon city. 'Recently, boaters have encounter two aggressive nannies in the area with their kids,' Oregon and Washington's Bureau of Land Management (BLM) said in the alert. 'Wildlife can be dangerous, especially when protecting their young, so please avoid camping in any location where mountain goats or other wildlife are present.' Hikers could come across several animals including mountain lions, bobcats, moose and mountain goats close to the Grande Ronde River, according to the BLM. The river winds northwest through the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest just east of the Blue Mountains in Oregon, through to the mid-Snake River in Washington. While it is relatively rare to encounter a mountain goat on the route, several unlucky boaters have come into contact with them this year. The BLM advised staying at least 50 yards away from mountain goats, keeping dogs leashed, and urinating at least 50 yards away from the trail or campsite. Officials also urged hikers to avoid feeding the horned animals, or leaving clothes, gear or food unattended. If a mountain goat approaches, hikers should try to back away slowly rather than running as this could encourage the angry animals to chase. The BLM advises yelling at the goats if they charge, while waving your arms in the air and throwing rocks in their direction to ward them away. Anyone who encounters any aggressive wildlife should contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife via 541-426-3279. Dial 911 for emergencies. Deadly mountain goat attacks are extremely rare. The last recorded fatality from a goat attack in the US was October 2010, when a man was gored in Washington state while he was having a picnic with his wife and friend. Robert Boardman suffered a deadly leg wound when a goat, which was known for its aggressive behavior, charged at him on Klahhane Ridge in Olympic National Park. After goring the 63-year-old hiker, the goat stood over him and rangers pelted it with rocks until it retreated. Boardman was transported by US Coast Guard helicopter to the hospital in Port Angeles, where he was pronounced dead. Mountain goats are around three to four foot tall on average. Males weigh 150 to 300 pounds on average, while females weigh between 125 and 250 pounds. Experts estimate that around 3,500 mountain goats live across Oregon and Washington.
CBS News
2 days ago
- Climate
- CBS News
New Mexico wildfires force evacuations for about 2,000 homes, prompt state of emergency order
Two wildfires in New Mexico are burning over 80,000 acres, prompting evacuation orders and an emergency response from state officials. The Buck Fire is burning over 57,000 acres in Catron County and is 15% contained as of Tuesday night, according to New Mexico Fire Information. Lightning sparked the fire on June 11, authorities said. The Trout Fire started a day later and is burning nearly 25,000 acres in the south of the Gila National Forest. It has no containment, and its cause has not yet been determined. Extreme drought conditions, combined with hot and dry temperatures caused the blaze to grow on Monday, the U.S. Forest Service said in an update Tuesday. Photo posted by the New Mexico's Bureau of Land Management on Monday, June 16, 2025, shows firefighters managing the Buck Fire in Craton County. Bureau of Land Management - New Mexico Residents of about 2,000 homes have been forced to evacuate, according to Stefan La-Sky, a spokesperson for the team managing the Trout Fire. Officials said they were not aware of any injuries or burned structures. Around 875 personnel and 10 helicopters worked to slow the fire on Tuesday, La-Sky said. New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham declared a state of emergency on Tuesday in response to the Trout Fire. The governor's declaration will direct the New Mexico Department of Finance Administration to allocate $750,000 to the state's Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management for emergency response efforts. The New Mexico National Guard will also be deployed to assist, according to the governor's declaration. Photo posted by the New Mexico's Bureau of Land Management on Monday, June 16, 2025, shows firefighters putting out the Buck Fire in Craton County. Bureau of Land Management - New Mexico "I appreciate our federal partners for taking this threat seriously and for doing their part in supporting the responders who are working their hardest to protect the community," Grisham said. The state's Department of Health issued a smoke advisory for Grant and Catron counties. Health officials warned that the smoke will travel based on wind conditions, and air quality may be affected as far as Las Cruces — nearly 130 miles away. A red flag warning is in effect through Wednesday, as temperatures remain in the 90s with extremely low humidity, and wind gusts are expected up to 35 miles per hour. Red flag warnings are issued to indicate the highest level of fire danger.
Bloomberg
12-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Millions of Acres of Public Land Sales Added to Trump's Tax Bill
The sale of millions of acres of federal land would provide billions of dollars to help pay for President Donald Trump's massive package of tax cuts and spending in the Senate's version of the bill released Wednesday night. As much as around 3 million acres of land owned by the Bureau of Land Management and the US Forest Service would be mandated for sale in the legislation. The measure, which requires each agency to sell a small percentage of the hundreds of millions of acres of land they manage in eligible states that include Alaska as well as western states, could raise as much as $10 billion over 10 years, according to a fact sheet.
