BURNS, Ore. (Sep. 10, 2026) — The Bureau of Land Management has postponed a planned rescue operation for wild horses on Riddle Mountain because of a temporary restraining order related to ongoing litigation, the agency said.
The operation was scheduled to begin Sept. 9 as the herd faces severe shortages of food and water following a record-dry winter and a wildfire season that burned about 70% of the herd management area.
“It’s our responsibility to manage and protect these herds,” said Don Rotell, Burns District manager. “When fire and severe drought shrinks water sources and reduces forage, it’s the horses and other plants and animals that pay a price.”
The BLM said the delay could make it difficult to complete the operation before late fall weather makes roads in the area impassable.
“We want healthy horses on healthy rangelands,” Rotell said. “Unfortunately, the practical implication of this delay is that it may not be possible to round up these horses before late fall storms make roads in the area impassable.”
The planned rescue was also part of the BLM’s post-fire emergency stabilization and rehabilitation efforts for the affected rangeland.
The agency said severe wildfires can destroy vegetation and alter soil structure, leaving burned landscapes vulnerable to erosion, invasive weeds and long-term damage. Resting the land after the fire allows vegetation and other resources to recover while reducing additional pressure on limited forage and water supplies.
As part of the recovery plan, cattle will not graze on the affected lands during the rest period, according to the BLM. The agency said the goal is to allow the rangeland to recover while maintaining habitat for wild horses and other wildlife and supporting future land uses.
The BLM said public safety and animal welfare remain priorities during wild horse management operations. The agency’s Wild Horse and Burro Program conducts drive-trap gathers under its Comprehensive Animal Welfare Program, which establishes standards for handling and caring for the animals.
The BLM said it will provide additional updates online as the situation develops.
The agency manages about 245 million acres of public land, primarily across 12 Western states, including Alaska. It also administers about 700 million acres of subsurface mineral estate nationwide.
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