Fire restrictions are now in effect on BLM lands. Learn more here.

PORTLAND, Ore., KEZI – Bureau of Land Management officials announced on Tuesday that fire restrictions are now in effect for all BLM-managed public lands throughout Oregon and Washington.

The BLM said that the use of fireworks, exploding or metallic targets, steel component ammunition, tracer or incendiary devices, and sky lanterns are prohibited as of May 23 in order to reduce the risk of human-caused fires.

“Although we had a wet winter, we must still be careful with activities that can cause a spark to keep our first responders, local communities, and public lands safe from accidental wildfires,” said Anita Bilbao, BLM Oregon/Washington Associate State Director. “We are…

Recreational crabbing is back open on the Oregon Coast. Learn more here.

By Oregon Coast Beach Connection Staff

(Winchester Bay, Oregon) – As of late last week, recreational crabbing is back open along the entire Oregon coast, after being shut down for a time between Winchester Bay and Cape Blanco. Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) and (Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) made the announcement, saying all bays, estuaries and the ocean can once again continue the crustacean-gathering fun. (Above: Coos Bay, courtesy Oregon’s Adventure Coast)

The shut-down on May 1 was due to high levels of domoic acid, taking place from eight miles north of (43° 47′ at Tahkenitch Creek) to Cape Blanco (42° 50′). That…

Oregon has a new wildfire information app. Learn more about it here.

By Joe Raineri (KGW)

PORTLAND, Oregon — Oregon is currently in the middle of spring, but it’s never too early to start thinking about wildfire season. The state just joined a new app that allows users to monitor wildfires in their area — helping people keep themselves and their property safe.

The app is called Watch Duty and it was launched two years ago in California after the CEO and co-founder, John Mills, nearly lost his home from wildfires in 2020. Mills, who lives on a ranch in Sonoma County, California, has had multiple close calls over the last…

Legislation to allow minors younger than 15 to get abortions without parental approval, expand state coverage of medical services for transgender individuals and make several other changes to state laws regulating reproductive and gender-affirming care has passed the Oregon House of Representatives, despite Republicans’ repeated attempts to block House Bill 2002.

It now needs approval from the state Senate before going to Gov. Tina Kotek for her consideration.

House members spent nearly 10 hours on the floor Monday, primarily on the 46-page bill’s third reading…

An intense solar storm has the northern lights gracing the skies farther south than usual.

From Washington state to Wisconsin, auroras were reported as mostly a reddish glow instead of the typical green shimmer. In the U.S., skygazers also took in the sights from Colorado, California, New Mexico and even Arizona.

A blast of superhot material from the sun late last week hurled scorching gases known as plasma toward Earth at nearly 2 million mph, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday.

Earth felt the brunt…

Six sites on the Oregon coast were approved for special protection designations. Find out more here.

By Nicole Bales, The Astorian

CANNON BEACH — State protections have been secured for two rocky shore areas on the North Coast.

Ecola Point and Chapman Point were two of six sites approved for special protection designations by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development Commission on Thursday.

The sites, initially proposed by the North Coast Rocky Habitat Coalition, were reviewed and considered over the past few years as part of an update to the state’s management strategy for rocky shores under the Oregon Territorial Sea Plan.

Similarly to the measures taken at Haystack Rock, the designations…

Fire escapes a burn barrel in La Pine and starts a brush fire. Learn more here.

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – A La Pine homeowner’s debris burn in a burn barrel escaped in strong, erratic winds Sunday afternoon, sparking a 1 ½-acre brush fire, but La Pine Rural Fire District crews were able to keep it from reaching a nearby shop and neighbors’ homes.

La Pine RFPD responded around 2:45 p.m. to the reported brush fire in the 16000 block of Serpentine Drive, Captain Ty Miller said.

Crews arrived to find a fire of about an acre, driven by winds that shifted from west to the east, then from the south to the north, Miller said.

La Pine crews…

Oregon is steps closer to banning styrofoam to-go containers. Learn more here.

Author: Katherine Cook, KGW8

PORTLAND, Oregon — Would you like that to go?

In Oregon, two bills could soon play into that question for people dining out. Under Senate Bill 543, lawmakers are considering banning Styrofoam to-go containers in Oregon as well as so-called “forever chemicals” known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

“Polystyrene is a threat to the health of our communities and our land,” said bill sponsor Senator Janeen Sollman (D-Hillsboro). “This is a step towards a more sustainable and mindful approach to consumption and a commitment to preserving the health, beauty and diversity of Oregon for generations to…

The new policy, which reverses a practice started during the pandemic, takes effect Sept. 1.

The delay will allow the state Department of Administrative Services to provide notice to employees about the policy change, Gov. Tina Kotek said in a news release.

The move comes as the Oregon Legislature considers a bill that would limit commuting reimbursements for out-of-state remote workers to those who live within 60 miles of the Oregon border.

Minority…