BURNS, Ore. — Emergency officials are urging the public to stay away from the Burns District corral facilities as firefighters continue working to protect more than 200 wild horses and burros housed at the site.
Officials said keeping the roads and facility clear is critical to allowing firefighting crews and emergency personnel to operate safely and efficiently. They emphasized that the animals are safest remaining at the corrals, where extensive preparations have been made to protect them from the nearby fire threat.
According to officials, fire crews and facility staff have carefully evaluated conditions and implemented multiple safety measures to ensure the horses’ welfare. The corrals are situated on approximately 45 acres of bare ground, with an additional 20 acres of surrounding loop roads and parking lots, creating nearly 65 acres of cleared, fuel-free space.
The holding pens are constructed primarily of metal, and officials said the lack of nearby vegetation provides confidence that the horses can be safely contained while minimizing fire risk.
Animal care operations continue uninterrupted, with staff maintaining regular feeding schedules and daily care. Officials have also established contingency plans to ensure a reliable water supply for the horses if electrical service to the area is disrupted.
The Burns District corrals remain closed to the public. Only essential emergency responders and animal care personnel are being allowed access to the facility.
Officials are asking residents and visitors to avoid the area and keep access roads open so firefighters can remain focused on protecting the facility and ensuring the safety of the animals.
The Bureau of Land Management oversees approximately 245 million acres of public land across the United States, primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, and administers roughly 700 million acres of federal subsurface mineral estate. The agency’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the nation’s public lands for current and future generations.
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