This summer, we witnessed thick smoke engulfing the valley, painting the skies an eerie orange as large fires ravaged eastern Oregon and western Idaho , leaving devastation in their wake and shrouding the region in smoke. We felt it in our lungs and saw its impact on our communities. This fire starkly reminded us of our deep connection to the wild places we cherish and underscored the critical importance of responsible public lands management.
Among the cherished landscapes threatened by increasing wildfires is the Owyhee Canyonlands , a vast expanse straddling the Oregon-Idaho border that draws visitors seeking solace in its rugged, unspoiled beauty from across the country. The Owyhee are more than a destination; they embody the spirit of adventure and the essence of our relationship with nature. However, as wildfires grow more frequent and intense, this beloved terrain faces escalating peril, exacerbated by proposed budget cuts to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) — the very agency tasked with its protection.