Wildfire season is here. As we face climate change, the word “summer” has been replaced with the words “wildfire season” in many western communities.

We have been tracking a correlation between large-scale removals of wild horses, increases and/or continuation of domestic livestock use in HMAs, and wildfire. There is a direct connection to increases in fire. BLM has failed to include any analysis of the impacts on wildfire fuels with planned removals. We won a case earlier this year in federal court and knocked down a gather plan for the Pancake Complex on a lack of analysis, including wildfire fuel analysis (as well as a win addressing the lack of an overall management plan).

For the last few years there has been massive loss of habitat and wild lives due to fire. The largest single stroke that caused a loss of wild horse habitat occurred during the Martin fire and correlated with massive roundups in the Owyhee Complex: over 440,000 acres burned. 

UPDATE: 8:58 pm 8/12/24

Gem county did report in error earlier! Our source was correct and the 41 wild horses were found alive!

UPDATE: 8/12/24

It has been reported by the Gem County Office of Emergency Management that 41 wild horses have, to date, been discovered as perished in the fire.

The BLM set AML (number of horses in the HMA) is 37-60. We know they were at or near AML before the fire.

We are awaiting confirmation from BLM. BLM did say they had discovered some unburnt areas and some horses had escaped the blaze.

We have it on good authority that “41 were seen” and are hoping the county report is in error.

As soon as we have more information, we will update again.

8/10/24

We wanted to take a moment to inform you of an unfolding tragedy in Idaho.

Our team member in Idaho has been monitoring fires. The fire that threatened Sands Basin has ceased progression.

However, the entire Four Mile HMA has been engulfed in the Paddock fire.

Updated map: 8/10

Fire is incredibly dynamic and issues can change quickly. Our team member, and others that watch Idaho wild horses, were in contact with BLM as soon as it appeared the area would be in danger. The BLM said the danger subsided as the fire shifted and then, things rapidly escalated.

In 2021, BLM captured 215 wild horses on the small 18,800 acre Herd Management Area (HMA) stating only 37-60 wild horses could be “sustained” in the area. Domestic livestock use in this area continued to be heavy spreading invasive weeds (fire fuels).

The entire HMA is in flames.

At this time our team members cannot go in to see if firefighters cut fences, as they are allowed and told to do if they are alerted that there is a situation where animal or human safety is involved. We are not allowed to go into an active fire scene. We are awaiting word from BLM.

BLM does not provide maps of fire that mark HMAs. We tried to do a very fast overlay of BLM maps but it is not unusual for segments to be “off” on HMA maps. We are expecting an overlay map from BLM and will update this page as soon as possible.

It has been reported that a few horses were spotted running.

It is unclear if these are wild horses that left the HMA or domestics. It is believed these are the 6, the bachelor group. The main herd has not been spotted yet.

Please keep these wild ones in your hearts and pray for the firefighters and families in the path of this fire. The fire has grown to over 180,000 acres and has zero containment. Evacuations are in place and people are scrambling to get out.

photo from the 2021 roundup.

If you are traveling our public lands this summer, please take fire precautions and check in with BLM to make sure there is no fire activity ion the area you plan to visit.

Stay safe.

We need your help to continue to document, expose, work toward reform with lawmakers and litigate. Our wild ones deserve to live free on the range and free from abuse.

Thank you for keeping us on the frontline in the fight to preserve and protect our treasured wild horses and burros.