In a comprehensive report to the Pershing County Commission, Sam Burton, District Manager for the Bureau of Land Management’s Winnemucca Office, and Jonah Blustain Field Office Manager, from the Black Rock Field Office, outlined a busy summer ahead for the BLM—spanning everything from wildfire readiness and mining projects to geothermal leasing and trail cleanup efforts.
The BLM’s fire readiness remains a top priority this season, with six wildfires already reported in the district in the past week alone. Burton told commissioners the rookie firefighter boot camp recently held at Water Canyon was successful, and new BLM crew members are now fully trained and deployed.
“We’re expecting a very busy fire season,” Burton said. “But we’re staffed and ready.”
This year, Burton reported, the Winnemucca District has two engines based in Lovelock, six engines in Winnemucca, and one engine in McDermitt. They also have on tap, with three dozer modules, two water tenders, and four battalion chiefs.
Additionally, the Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT) base in Winnemucca is open, with two SEATs available for rapid air suppression.
BLM is continuing joint training drills with local departments, including Grass Valley, Winnemucca Rural, and Winnemucca Volunteer Fire Departments. Fire officials emphasized the importance of cross-agency coordination as the region heads into the heart of fire season.
Blustain provided updates on Black Rock Field Office recreation efforts, including preparations for National Trails Day, which took place June 7.
Crews focused on Stevens Camp and Little High Rock Canyon, conducting tree removal and trail clearing to improve public access. Further crews will return starting July 3 to monitor the area and continue cleanup and safety efforts.
“We want to make sure these areas are safe and welcoming for summer recreation,” Blustain said.
Burton noted that there are no wild horse or burro gathers currently scheduled for the Pershing County area. The Bluing H Herd Management Area Plan is still in its public comment period, which will close mid-June.
Several mining and energy projects affecting Pershing County are advancing through the BLM’s review process:
- The Spring Valley Gold Mine project is nearing a key milestone. The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been submitted to the EPA for publication, with a Notice of Availability expected to appear in the Federal Register on Friday, June 13. The Record of Decision is expected about 30 days later.
- The Collins Gold Mine Plan remains under review.
- The Wildcat Exploration Plan has completed its Environmental Assessment (EA) and is posted on the BLM’s ePlanning site. The Memorandum of Agreement is still under review by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO).
On the energy side, the Geothermal Lease Sale for parcels in the district is still scheduled for October 2025.
“Just because a parcel is leased doesn’t mean development is imminent,” Burton clarified. “This is just the first step in a very long process.”
The BLM also completed road improvements in the northern portion of the district, including Panther Canyon and Sonoma Canyon roads.
In response to a question from the commission, Burton said BLM cannot use local airports for fire support without a signed agreement in place.
“The purpose of the SEAT base in Winnemucca is to handle fuel and retardant,” he said. “If Pershing County is interested in making its airport available, that’s a good conversation to have.”
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