Out of the Blues Newsletter - Fall 2026
To conserve, protect, and develop natural resources for the environmental and economic benefit of Umatilla County.
Out of the Blues Newsletter - Fall 2026
Fire Mapping During The 2026 Fire Season
We at the Soil and Water Conservation District are glad this year's fire season is coming to a close. This year, we helped Umatilla County Emergency Management with the Couse/Dry Creek fire by mapping the perimeter during the mop-up stage. The flexbility and adaptability of the District allows for us to accomplish tasks quickly and effeciently without tying up essential emergency response resources. The District is ready and able to bring our technical expertise to serve Umatilla County residents during and after disaster events.
Here are a few more resources that may help with landowners this fire season:
- The USDA and the US Forestry Service have partnered to create the Wildfire Risk to Communities website, a place where citizens can learn more about how to understand, explore, and reduce the risks of wildfires.
- Additionally, Watch Duty is a real-time tracker for wildfires and floods across the community that shows boundaries, weather patterns, evacuation and shelter spaces. Accessible via either phone app or online, Watch Duty is free to use to the public.
Recovery Assistance for the 2024-2026 Fire Season - Upcoming Meeting October 28th at 5pm Ukiah Senior Center
When natural disasters occur, the damage can be extensive and the recovery process long and confusing.
The District serves as a vital information hub, connecting landowners with regulatory authorities to facilitate access to critical resources and guidance during natural disasters. Through site visits, the District assesses damage sustained from these extreme weather events and can identify specific needs and potential projects that align with available funding opportunities. Additionally, the District offers assistance in documentation of the devastation of these events for federal assistance programs.
The Umatilla SWCD not only responds to these events, but is actively involved at the city and county level. We assist Umatilla county governance with the recovery efforts through grant writing, technical consultation, and boots-on-the-ground contacts for the recovery process.
On October 28th, the SWCD will be hosting a Fire Recovery meeting at the Senior Center in Ukiah, Oregon at 5pm. If you have been affected by the recent fire years (especially the Battle-Mountain Complex in 2024) we want to hear from you. We are specifically looking to see what the landscape needs for recovery and for mitigation for future fire years. This input will help guide the District's response to recovery in the future.
To RSVP, or if you have been affected by a natural disaster and would like to learn more about the ways that Umatilla SWCD can assist, reach out to District Manager Kyle Waggoner at kyle.waggoner@umatillaswcd.org.
Upcoming Grant Applications
| Project Name | Summary |
|---|---|
| Hartley Planting Project | Riparian planting and protection project outside Ukiah, Oregon. |
| Thacker Spring Development and Grazing Management | Fencing and spring developments outside Ukiah, Oregon. |
| Christian Pond Protection and Livestock Water Project | Fencing off ponds and installing water troughs in the Ukiah area. |
| Olstott Spring Enhancement | Spring refresh and source protection outside Ukiah, Oregon. |
| Journot Livestock Water and Grazing Management. | Fencing and spring developments outside Ukiah, Oregon. |
| Creamery Spring Development and Grazing Management | Fencing and spring developments outside Ukiah, Oregon. |
Submitted Grant Applications
| Grant Title | Granting Agency | Submission Status | Grant Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ostby Riparian Protection | OWEB | SUBMITTED | $28,496 |
| Nash Spring Development and Grazing Management | OWEB | SUBMITTED | $21,804 |
| Watkins Spring Development and Grazing Management | OWEB | SUBMITTED | $26,858 |
Current Projects (Implementing)
| Grant Title | Granting Agency | Grant Total |
|---|---|---|
| Umatilla SIA V: Camas Creek | OWEB/ODA | $127,026 |
| Umatilla SIA III & IV: Couse & East Birch | OWEB/ODA | $249,909 |
| Mathews Riparian Protection and Water Development | ODA | $ 13,338 |
| Hoeft Riparian Protection and Water Development | ODA | $ 31,573 |
| Weinke Riparian Protection and Weed Treatment | ODA | $ 18,852 |
| Local Capacity 2025-2027 | ODA | $ 193,188 |
| Pace Spring Developments | OWEB | $14,983 |
| Rosselle Spring Development | OWEB | $12,453 |
| Twin Ponds Livestock Water and Grazing Management | OWEB | $39,178 |
| Bridge Creek Wildlife Fencing Project | OWEB | $159,593 |
| Snipe and Owens Creek Assessment and Prioritization | OWEB | $63,483 |
| Water Control District Collaborative Outreach | OWEB | $41,534 |
| Small Grant Team 26 Team Contact | OWEB | $16,375 |
| Spicknall Riparian Restoration | OWEB | $19,694 |