Wheeler SWCD

04/14/2026

$85,000 obo
Located approximately 11 miles west of Spray, Oregon

Delivered on January 20, 2026 but never set up on property due to permitting restrictions.

Delivered on January 20, 2026 but never set up on property due to permitting restrictions.

04/11/2026

Thank you to Wheeler County Sheriff's Office, Wheeler County Fire & Rescue, Spray Fire Department, and Fossil Fire Department for the landowner assist controlled burn today! A tiptoe closer to our goal of a conservation community center.

04/09/2026

As of April 2nd, 21% of the state is in severe drought (D2), 28% is in moderate drought (D1), and 37% of the state is experiencing abnormally dry conditions (D0). Severe and moderate drought extends from northeastern Oregon across north-central Oregon and into Douglas and Lane counties, with additional areas in Malheur and Harney counties. Abnormally dry conditions are dispersed across much of western, southeastern, and parts of north-central and southwestern Oregon.

At the beginning of the water year (Oct. 1), 48% of the state was in moderate or severe drought. Nearly 19% of the state was experiencing abnormally dry conditions.

04/09/2026

Gilliam/Wheeler County FSA Update 04/07/2026
▶ FSA Announcements
▶ Specialty Crops Acreage Reporting Deadline for 2025 is Now April 24
▶ USDA Announces Continuous and General Conservation Reserve Program Enrollment for 2026
▶ Enrollment Period for Farmer Bridge Payments Ends April 17, 2026
▶ Applying for Youth Loans

04/03/2026

Thank you to Coach Starr and the Spray track team for spending their practice today moving much of the SWCD's belongings from our temporary storage to a more long term sealed storage. You were all rockstars and we are so grateful for your help!

03/26/2026

Each spring, OEM hosts the Communities Prepared for Disasters webinar: a free, two-part educational series focusing on the needs and concerns of a specific community when it comes to preparing for and recovering from disasters.

These free webinars are developed in collaboration with local, county, state, Tribal, and community partners and open to organizations, community groups, faith-based organizations, emergency management professionals, and anyone interested in community preparedness.

Click here to REGISTER for the 2026 Rural Communities Prepared for Disasters

This two-part webinar will provide practical strategies and resources to support disaster preparedness and recovery efforts for rural communities across the state. Wednesday, April 22 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. PT • How disasters impact communication channels and ways to stay informed • How to know wh...

03/24/2026

03/24/2026

Planning a Prescribed Burn? Give Dispatch a Call First!

Fire Services & Law Enforcement across Wheeler County kindly asks for your help in keeping our emergency resources available where they’re truly needed.

If you’re planning a prescribed burn, please take a moment to call Frontier Regional 911 Dispatch at 541-384-2080 before you get started.

Letting Dispatch know your plans helps prevent unnecessary responses from our volunteer fire and emergency personnel.

This simple step helps:
• Reduce unnecessary emergency call-outs
• Keep our volunteers available for actual emergencies
• Save time, resources, and effort across our community

We appreciate everyone doing their part to keep Wheeler County safe—plus, it saves our volunteers from chasing smoke that’s already under control!

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support!

03/16/2026

USFS Ochoco National Forest is planning two large projects within Wheeler County:
▶North Slope Vegetation Management Project
▶Upper Trout and Bridge Creeks Vegetation Management Project

Both projects include areas of
🌲Commercial thinning
🌲Non-commercial thinning
🔥Prescribed burning
🔥Fuel breaks
🛣 Road work for access

To learn more about these projects, including options for public comment, visit this link https://www.fs.usda.gov/r06/ochoco/projects

Wheeler SWCD is actively collaborating with USFS Ochoco National Forest staff on behalf of our landowners for cross-boundary efforts and local economics involving these projects.

03/12/2026

There will be an air curtain incinerator demonstration at Clyde Holliday State Park on April 10th from 11:00am-1:00pm. You can register at this link: beav.es/aci-grant. If you are unfamiliar with air curtain incinerators, check out this video to learn more!

Air curtain incinerator (ACI) burns EAB-infested wood and other wood waste with less smoke. View EAB information at https://www.oregon.gov/odf/forestbenefits...

03/05/2026

Comment Opportunity: Potential Land Sale in Wheeler County, Oregon

The Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL) is reaching out to inform you of a potential sale of state-owned rangeland known as "Hoogie Doogie," located north of the John Day River in Wheeler County.

The 30-day comment period is open from March 5, 2026 - April 4, 2026.

About the Land
Transaction number for this potential sale is 65556-LS.
The sale site encompasses five tax lot parcels across three Township/Ranges, approximately 1,863 total acres:

Township 08S, Range 23E, Sections 25,26,& 35, Tax Lot 03300
Township 08S, Range 24E, Sections 30 & 31, Tax Lot 03500
Township 09S, Range 24E, Section 06, Tax Lot 01600
Township 08S, Range 24E, Sections 29 & 32, Tax Lot 03300
Township 09S, Range 24E, Section 05, Tax Lot 00900

The parcel is classified as constitutional lands dedicated to the Common School Fund, lands that were granted to Oregon by the federal government for the purpose of generating revenues for the Common School Fund, which benefits K-12 education.

Learn more:
See the request for due diligence (PDF)
See site map (PDF)
Visit the DSL website for all active land sales and exchanges
https://www.oregon.gov/dsl/lands/Pages/land-sales.aspx

How to Provide Comment
You may provide public comment on the proposed land sale from March 5, 2026 - April 4, 2026:

Online: Comment online here
Email: [email protected]
Mail: Oregon Department of State Lands at 951 SW Simpson Ave., Suite #104, Bend, OR 97702
If you have any questions or concerns, contact us at [email protected].

When responding to this notice, please reference the transaction number 65556-LS in the subject line or body of the comment to ensure that comments are attributed to the correct property and application.

Additional Information
On December 9, 2025, the State Land Board approved DSL to move forward with conducting the appropriate due diligence needed for these lands to be considered for sale at a future date. During due diligence, DSL collects information about the land, including market value, mineral and energy resources, wildlife, and cultural resources. DSL also asks the public for comments. This information is used to help inform a sale decision by the Land Board.

Sales and exchanges of state-owned lands.

03/05/2026

Do you receive the updates for the Gilliam/Wheeler USDA Service Center?! These updates provide pertinent information for FSA and NRCS programs in Wheeler County.

The latest update is available in the attached images.

Follow the link to sign up!
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAFARMERS/subscriber/new?preferences=true