#HarneyCounty
February 4, 2025 at 8:44 AM
February 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
11th year camping with my friends in the Oregon desert. @brucecouch.bsky.social #harneycounty #highdesert
June 12, 2025 at 4:59 PM
June 12, 2025 at 4:58 PM
I know we’re looking east and pointed north here. Andromeda and Pleiades don’t lie! #andromedagalaxy #pleiades #harneycounty #oregonoutback #airstream #astrophography #protectourlands #wideopenspaces
February 6, 2025 at 4:40 AM
2 homes and 5 outbuilding’s were lost during the early days of the Second Flat Fire. Its burning at 105K acres in rural Harney County.

#OregonWildfires #BreakingNews #destruction #FYP #HarneyCounty
August 5, 2026 at 1:51 AM
Harney County is set to expedite millions in wildfire recovery funds with a groundbreaking 10-year agreement, allowing local contractors to get to work faster than ever before.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #FederalFunding #WildfireRecovery #LocalContracting
Harney County authorizes 10-year Good Neighbor Authority agreement to speed BLM-funded fire recovery
The Harney County Court voted to authorize the county judge to sign a Good Neighbor Authority agreement with the Harney SWCD that officials said could route millions of dollars to local wildfire recovery work more quickly than direct federal execution.
citizenportal.ai
September 27, 2026 at 6:23 AM
As the deadline approaches, Harney County officials face a critical decision that could determine the future of mental health services in their community.

Learn more here!

#HarneyCounty #OR #FundingStability #MentalHealthServices
Harney County discusses community mental health contract with Symmetry Care
County officials and Symmetry Care address CFAA contract concerns ahead of July deadline
citizenportal.ai
June 21, 2025 at 6:04 AM
Harney County is taking bold steps to tackle alarming wolf population concerns and improve wildlife management, with potential state emergency declarations on the horizon.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #WildlifeManagement #PublicSafety #EcosystemBalance
Harney County partners with OSU to develop strategic county government plan
Harney County commissions OSU to facilitate a strategic planning process pro bono.
citizenportal.ai
May 22, 2025 at 5:01 AM
Harney County is stepping up its water game with a new collaborative aimed at tackling irrigation challenges while navigating drought rules—could this be the key to a sustainable future for local agriculture?

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#HarneyCounty #OR #WaterConservation #DroughtResponse
Court hears plan for community‑based water implementation amid state drought declaration
Harney County Court discussed an implementation collaborative to put community‑based water planning into action, the relationship to Oregon Division 512 curtailment rules, and the governor's drought declaration; court emphasized voluntary local measures, requests for state resources and the need for county‑level commitments.
citizenportal.ai
June 18, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Harney County is shaking up probate authority by pushing for a local election option to transfer jurisdiction, challenging existing laws and addressing crucial guardianship issues.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #CivicAccountability #LocalGovAI
Harney County adopts resolution asking legislature to allow local elections to transfer probate authority
The court unanimously approved Resolution 2026‑21 asking the legislature to amend ORS 111.055 so counties presently named with probate authority may use a local election to transfer probate jurisdiction to circuit court; commissioners raised home‑rule and guardianship concerns and agreed to notify the other named counties and state lawmakers.
citizenportal.ai
August 22, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Harney County is urging federal representatives to fast-track post-fire recovery efforts, emphasizing that "time is of the essence" to prevent invasive weeds and further damage.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #FederalAidTimeliness #RangelandRecovery #InvasiveWeedsManagement
County asks federal delegation to free up and pilot faster post‑fire rangeland recovery actions
Responding to repeated delays in post‑fire recovery funding, the court approved a letter urging the federal delegation and agencies to convene a pilot project in Harney County to free up existing funds and speed on‑the‑ground rangeland recovery to limit invasive weeds and erosion.
citizenportal.ai
August 21, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Leif Ryman is calling on Harney County leaders to fight for access to $6.4 million in state-held workforce funds that could transform rural job training and support.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #FundingAccess #RuralEconomy
Eastern Oregon Workforce Board asks Harney County to press state on discretionary funding for rural centers
Leif Ryman, director of the Eastern Oregon Workforce Board, told the Harney County Court the region receives about $1.7 million in WIOA funding while the state holds back roughly $6.4 million in discretionary and administrative funds; he asked commissioners to advocate for shifting some discretionary resources to rural workforce centers to support training and staff coverage.
citizenportal.ai
August 21, 2026 at 6:06 PM
ICYMI: “As dozens of wildfires blaze across Oregon, Gov. Tina Kotek is asking federal agencies to release emergency aid to farmers and ranchers impacted by wildfires this summer.” www.opb.org/article/2026... - @opb.org

#ORFire #Oregon #HarneyCounty #KlamathCounty #Ranching #SecondFlatFire
Gov. Kotek seeks federal aid for Oregon farmers, ranchers caught in throes of wildfires
As dozens of wildfires burn across Oregon, Gov. Tina Kotek is asking federal agencies to release emergency aid to farmers and ranchers caught in the throes of the flames.
www.opb.org
August 1, 2026 at 7:44 PM
Judge Hart reveals alarming wildfire updates as over 300,000 acres burn, urging residents to attend a crucial community meeting tonight for vital information.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #PublicSafety #WildfireResponse
Harney County Court hears wildfire response update as crews and mutual aid move in
At a special session the Harney County Court received updates on active fires, sheltering and mutual-aid resources; officials described rotating incident management teams, limited air operations, and a public meeting scheduled that evening.
citizenportal.ai
August 1, 2026 at 10:07 AM
County leaders are calling for urgent state support to overcome fuel and supply hurdles hampering livestock recovery efforts in Harney County.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #HarneyCountyExtension #LivestockAssistance #LogisticsChallenges
Officials urge linking state livestock assistance to local extension as fuel- and supply-logistics strain response
County leaders asked that state livestock assistance be connected to Harney County's OSU extension response and described logistical hurdles—fuel and tire procurement and reimbursement rules—that are slowing operations for visiting teams.
citizenportal.ai
August 1, 2026 at 10:14 AM
As wildfires reshape the landscape, a heated debate emerges over whether to pause the Blue Mountain Forest Plan, with officials divided on the urgency of action.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #WildfireResponse #LandscapeConservation
Officials debate pausing Blue Mountain Forest Plan amid wildfire-driven landscape changes
Commissioners discussed whether to pause the Blue Mountain Forest Plan after widespread fires; one commissioner urged a pause while another said the delayed plan contains measures needed to address fine fuels and urged proceeding.
citizenportal.ai
August 1, 2026 at 10:10 AM
Local Resource Fire Protection Associations are vital for initial attacks on wildfires, but often get sidelined when national teams take over—how can we change that?

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#HarneyCounty #OR #EmergencyResponse #HarneyCountyRFPAs #IncidentCommandSystem #LocalExpertise
County officials press for better RFPA integration after national teams arrive
Officials said local Resource Fire Protection Associations (RFPAs) are effective for initial attack but often become sidelined when national incident command teams arrive; the court discussed a federal liaison or procedural change to better integrate RFPAs into planning and operations.
citizenportal.ai
August 1, 2026 at 10:09 AM
Harney County is urging state and federal officials to act fast as drought and wildfires devastate local agriculture and threaten essential power for residents.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #FederalAssistance #DroughtRelief #WildfireResponse #HarneyCountyAgriculture
Court asks governor and federal agencies to expedite aid for ranchers and timber operators
As part of the July 26 emergency proclamation, Harney County Court requested the governor declare a state emergency and asked federal agencies to expedite assistance to agricultural industries suffering drought and wildfire losses. Officials said they had begun contacting federal staff about power concerns.
citizenportal.ai
July 27, 2026 at 4:52 AM
Harney County has declared a local disaster as wildfires and extreme weather conditions threaten the livelihoods and safety of its residents.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #WildfireResponse #EmergencyManagement #CommunityResilience
Harney County court declares local disaster as wildfires and extreme fire weather threaten communities
Harney County Court unanimously approved a proclamation July 26, 2026, declaring a local disaster and activating the county wildfire annex, citing multiple fires, extreme fire weather and threats to rangeland, timber, livestock and residents. The court requested state and federal assistance.
citizenportal.ai
July 27, 2026 at 4:51 AM
Harney County is taking decisive action against wildfires by widening firebreaks and activating its Emergency Operations Center—find out how these efforts will protect the community!

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#HarneyCounty #OR #WildfirePreparation #HarneyCountyFireSafety #EmergencyManagement
County crews widen firebreaks, stand up EOC as part of Harney County wildfire response
Harney County officials said county road crews are clearing shoulders and vegetation to create wider firebreaks near town, that the county will stand up its Emergency Operations Center, and that the RFPA and local landowners are coordinating additional efforts north and west of Burns.
citizenportal.ai
July 27, 2026 at 4:53 AM
Tory Smith of GEODC is spearheading an ambitious 9-12 month action plan aimed at revitalizing Harney County's enterprise zone, promising collaboration and a roadmap to secure vital funding.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #EconomicDevelopment #FundingStrategies
GEODC proposes county action plan; Harney County court OKs contract negotiations
The county court heard a 9–12 month action‑plan proposal from Tory Smith of GEODC and voted to direct the county judge to negotiate a professional services contract to manage an enterprise‑zone redesignation and an action plan; the judge recused himself from voting on the contract approval step and will present a proposed contract to the next meeting.
citizenportal.ai
July 18, 2026 at 7:44 AM
Harney County Court just took a significant step forward by approving comments on the BLM's grazing regulation, emphasizing local expertise and flexibility in management practices.

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#HarneyCounty #OR #CivicParticipation #LocalManagement #AgriculturalRegulations
Harney County Court approves and will submit comments on BLM grazing regulation rewrite
The Harney County Court unanimously approved county comments on the BLM's proposed grazing administration rule and authorized the county judge to sign and submit the letter (Regulations.gov identified as the likely portal).
citizenportal.ai
July 15, 2026 at 3:53 PM