
Crews head out to engage the Bootleg Fire.
Dry conditions, labor shortage pose challenge for Oregon wildfire season
Spring moisture has delayed the start of wildfire season in Oregon, but drought and a shortage of personnel could strain fire response this summer.
Latest Stories

California just ran on 100% renewable energy, but fossil fuels aren’t fading away yet
California broke its record for renewable energy when solar and wind provided enough to meet all consumer demand. At the time, natural gas power plants were still on, a necessity for the grid.

Oregon adopts heat and smoke rules for workers
The rules require access to shade, water and cool-down breaks for farmworkers and other laborers. Proponents say they are the most protective in the nation.

Australia says most Great Barrier Reef coral studied this year was bleached
Australian scientists confirm the mass bleaching yet are hopeful the world's largest coral reef ecosystem can recover.

A new Oregon mining boom could be a bust for sage grouse
At least three companies have staked mining claims in some of the best remaining sage grouse habitat in Oregon.

Groundwater pollution puts drinking water at risk in Eastern Oregon counties
More than 30 years after being recognized as a problem, nitrate contamination is still making well water unsafe to drink in Morrow and Umatilla counties.
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/opb/AGRK7D5ZXFGDPOJICNIIE2NMMI.jpeg)
Fire risk is highest in Central Oregon to start the season
The seasonal fire outlook shows the risk is highest in Central Oregon this month before spreading to the rest of the state later in summer.

Scientists believe beavers can build resilience in Northwest waterways
Scientists are looking at how beavers can revitalize our landscapes just by doing their beaver things. Chris Jordan co-wrote a paper about this. He’s a biologist with NOAA’s Northwest Fisheries Science Center.
With Oregon’s wildfire season on the horizon, fire officials urge homeowners to create defensible space
Now that it’s May, wildfire season is just around the corner in much of Oregon. State fire officials say it’s a good time of year to take steps to reduce the chance of fires affecting your home.

Salmon Summit teaches kids about conservation, science
A recent salmon field trip has helped students become more curious about salmon.

Climate scientist says we’re not measuring the right things to predict drought
Andrew Schwartz, manager of the Central Sierra Snow Laboratory for the University of California Berkeley, says researchers across the West are using outdated models and measurements to predict drought.