BURNS, Ore. – The Bureau of Land Management plans to begin an emergency operation tomorrow, Oct. 20, to rescue up to 140 wild horses from the Riddle Mountain Herd Management Area in southeast Oregon. BLM originally intended to gather a larger number of horses due to the Bald Mountain Wildfire, which burned almost half of the area, severely depleting forage for the winter and threatening the herd’s health and survival.  

“Our priority is to protect as many of these horses as we’re allowed,” said Don Rotell, Burns District Manager. “We need to act before late fall rain limits access.”  

The original plan to rescue horses was delayed last month by a temporary restraining order. The United States District Court for the District of Oregon issued a preliminary injunction last week preventing the BLM from conducting the full gather as planned. However, the court is allowing the BLM to rescue approximately one-third of the horses, leaving 278 on the landscape, as specified in the injunction. 

The Bald Mountain Fire burned across the Riddle Mountain Herd Management Area, and the BLM estimates that about half of the herd management area lost forage due to the fire. These losses compounded already existing shortages caused by ongoing drought. 

Gathering roughly one third of the horses from the affected area will support the post-fire emergency stabilization and rehabilitation efforts by relieving some grazing pressure on the fragile landscape. While this is a step in the right direction, BLM plans to continue its efforts to protect the herd and sustain other uses by ensuring that the number of wild horses on the range aligns with the amount of forage available. BLM managers have also worked with the permittee to pause cattle grazing in the area to allow the land to recover. Severe wildfire can destroy vegetation and alter soil structure, leaving the landscape vulnerable to erosion and invasive plants. Resting the burned rangeland allows newly planted grasses to take root, facilitating ecosystem recovery so it can continue to provide habitat for wild horses and other wildlife, as well as support additional land uses, into the future.  

Media and the public may observe operations, as long as observation does not disrupt operations or jeopardize the safety of the animals or staff. BLM staff will escort participants to observation sites on public lands. Observation is available by reservation only and is limited to 10–15 people per viewing day. More information on how to make a reservation is available on the 2026 Riddle Mountain Emergency Wild Horse Gather webpage.  

The BLM will transport the rescued horses to off-range holding facilities, where they will receive veterinary evaluations, appropriate care, high-quality feed, and continuous access to fresh water. The facilities provide ample space that meets established agency standards. Once they have been evaluated and are ready, some of the horses may be available for adoption through the BLM Online Corral. The BLM will post updates on the operation’s progress, public viewing opportunities and adoption opportunities on the 2026 Riddle Mountain gather webpage. 

VIDEO: BLM video of the herd traveling through the scorched rangeland is available here. 

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The BLM manages about 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.