Mimi Routh, 79, unloads a suitcase from her car after evacuating from the Tahoe Senior Plaza to a shelter in nearby Gardnerville, Nev. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR Mimi Routh, 79, unloads a suitcase from her car after evacuating from the Tahoe Senior Plaza to a shelter in nearby Gardnerville, Nev. Kirk Siegler/NPR When Mimi Routh got orders to evacuate from the Tahoe Senior Plaza where she lives, she decided not to wait for the city bus like most of her neighbors who were also fleeing the flames of out of control Caldor Fire. Instead, the 79-year-old Air […]
Kirk Siegler
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The Camp Fire destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in Paradise, Calif. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR The Camp Fire destroyed thousands of homes and businesses in Paradise, Calif. Kirk Siegler/NPR By the heat of the afternoon, smoke from the largest wildfire burning in the U.S., the Dixie Fire, drifts into Paradise, Calif. “Quite literally, it’s hanging over your head,” says Dan Efseaff, director of the Paradise Recreation and District. For many locals, seeing and smelling the smoke is a constant if ominous reminder of the 2018 Camp Fire, which killed 85 people and destroyed some 19,000 structures […]
A bench stands outside a scorched building as the Dixie Fire tears through the Greenville community of Plumas County, Calif., on Aug. 4, 2021. Noah Berger/AP hide caption toggle caption Noah Berger/AP A bench stands outside a scorched building as the Dixie Fire tears through the Greenville community of Plumas County, Calif., on Aug. 4, 2021. Noah Berger/AP Out-of-control wildfires in northern California are burning homes and again forcing thousands to evacuate. One of the biggest concerns remains the Dixie Fire, the second largest wildfire in the U.S. It has now burned some 322,000 acres, including much of the northern Sierra […]
The Robertson Draw Fire south of Red Lodge, Mont. InciWeb hide caption toggle caption InciWeb The Robertson Draw Fire south of Red Lodge, Mont. InciWeb The number of new wildfires in the U.S. so far this year is at a ten-year high, according to federal data, prompting warnings of a long, potentially dangerous summer of fire. One of the biggest areas of concern right now is the high desert Great Basin region in Utah, Nevada and eastern Oregon. “When you have standing dead grass that’s already out there and when we have high heat, that ignition potential raises dramatically,” said Paul […]
Many residents of Guadalupe County, New Mexico skew older and have pre-existing health conditions. In more rural areas, some depend on poorly ventilated wood stoves for heat. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR Many residents of Guadalupe County, New Mexico skew older and have pre-existing health conditions. In more rural areas, some depend on poorly ventilated wood stoves for heat. Kirk Siegler/NPR Shoppers and diners are slowly returning to Albuquerque’s trendy Nob Hill neighborhood. It’s a welcome sign to Mike and Kathy Holmberg of Arizona, who are on their first visit back to New Mexico since the start of […]
Marissa Lovell had hoped to buy her small Boise, Idaho, rental home until the price shot up by nearly $100,000 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR Marissa Lovell had hoped to buy her small Boise, Idaho, rental home until the price shot up by nearly $100,000 amid the coronavirus pandemic. Kirk Siegler/NPR This time last year, amid the pandemic lockdown, Marissa Lovell’s landlord offered to sell Lovell her current rental house in Boise, Idaho, for $256,000. Lovell and her fiancé are first-time homebuyers — she’s a freelance writer and publicist for a local music festival, […]
The Sunshine Spice Cafe opened in Boise in 2019, one of several Afghan refugee-owned businesses in the area. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR The Sunshine Spice Cafe opened in Boise in 2019, one of several Afghan refugee-owned businesses in the area. Kirk Siegler/NPR Even amid the global pandemic, Idaho’s unemployment rate has been hovering around 3%. In the capital city, Boise, for-hire signs are posted at grocery stores, restaurants, and at Pete Amador’s home health care agency. His latest ad even offers a thousand dollar signing bonus. Amador could easily hire 50 more people right now, if they […]
Deb Haaland, who made history this week by becoming the first indigenous interior secretary, promised to begin repairing a legacy of abuses committed by the federal government toward tribes. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Deb Haaland, who made history this week by becoming the first indigenous interior secretary, promised to begin repairing a legacy of abuses committed by the federal government toward tribes. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images With so much land under federal control in the West, it’s long been said the secretary of the interior has much more of a direct affect on most people’s lives […]
Molina Richards promised her friend that she wouldn’t let anyone forget her daughter, Waniyetu Rose Loves War, who died in 2019. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR Molina Richards promised her friend that she wouldn’t let anyone forget her daughter, Waniyetu Rose Loves War, who died in 2019. Kirk Siegler/NPR In the summer of 2019, Molina Richards got a call that made her stomach sink. One of her best friend’s teenage daughters had gone missing on the Rosebud Reservation. It took police several days to organize a formal search party because they kept getting tips that she had been […]
In Wyoming, public schools such as Pinedale’s middle school, face significant cuts to their budgets due to slumping oil, gas and coal prices. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR In Wyoming, public schools such as Pinedale’s middle school, face significant cuts to their budgets due to slumping oil, gas and coal prices. Kirk Siegler/NPR Not many American towns the size of Pinedale, population roughly 2,000, can boast that they have a $22 million aquatic center, with a beautiful lap pool, water slides, yoga rooms and a three-story climbing wall. Then again most rural towns this size probably haven’t had […]
A wildfire raced through Malden, Wash., on Labor Day, 2020. Residents had only a few minutes to evacuate and returned to a largely destroyed town. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR A wildfire raced through Malden, Wash., on Labor Day, 2020. Residents had only a few minutes to evacuate and returned to a largely destroyed town. Kirk Siegler/NPR In Washington state, federal aid is finally coming to a struggling farming community that was nearly decimated by a wildfire last Labor Day. The Biden administration on Thursday approved a presidential disaster declaration that had been held up by former President […]
A sign in the Jonah Field advertises cheap rates at a deserted motel built for oil and gas workers. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR A sign in the Jonah Field advertises cheap rates at a deserted motel built for oil and gas workers. Kirk Siegler/NPR After 15 years working in western oil patches, Antonio Magana finally struck out on his own, starting a small oil and gas well servicing company. Then the pandemic hit. Demand tanked and production ground nearly to a halt here in Wyoming’s Jonah Field. Magana and his skeleton staff are down to working just […]
In January 2016, armed militants led by Ammon Bundy, seized the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon in an attempt to control US public lands. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR In January 2016, armed militants led by Ammon Bundy, seized the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon in an attempt to control US public lands. Kirk Siegler/NPR As the violent mob broke into the U.S. Capitol last Wednesday, and livestreams showed pro-Trump insurrectionists defacing property and posing in the House Speaker’s chair, here in the West, feelings of shock quickly faded to familiarity. “There are years of warning […]
Gene Bracegirdle was relieved to get his first dose vaccine shot recently in rural Colorado. Matt Bloom/KUNC hide caption toggle caption Matt Bloom/KUNC Gene Bracegirdle was relieved to get his first dose vaccine shot recently in rural Colorado. Matt Bloom/KUNC In the small town of Oak Creek, Colo., — a three-hour drive from Denver assuming the roads are clear — Gene Bracegirdle, a firefighter and EMT-in-training, is getting his first dose of the Moderna vaccine. “The fact that it is here is kind of mind blowing, like, they care enough to reach out to the rural communities,” Bracegirdle says. The vaccine […]
Tribal leaders on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota say they plan to hold IHS accountable as the first vaccines are set to be delivered to Indian Country. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR Tribal leaders on the Rosebud Reservation in South Dakota say they plan to hold IHS accountable as the first vaccines are set to be delivered to Indian Country. Kirk Siegler/NPR These last few days have been chaotic at the Nimiipuu Health Clinic on the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho. The director, Dr. R. Kim Hartwig, is trying to manage testing and treating patients for COVID […]
After a false rumor circulated that Antifa agitators were coming to Sandpoint and nearby Coeur d’Alene to riot and loot businesses, armed vigilantes and Second Amendment supporters gathered in downtown Coeur d’Alene. This alarmed some of the residents. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR After a false rumor circulated that Antifa agitators were coming to Sandpoint and nearby Coeur d’Alene to riot and loot businesses, armed vigilantes and Second Amendment supporters gathered in downtown Coeur d’Alene. This alarmed some of the residents. Kirk Siegler/NPR At first glance, the picturesque resort town of Sandpoint, Idaho, on the banks of Lake […]
U.S. Bureau of Land Management Acting Director William “Perry” Pendley speaks at a conference for journalists in Fort Collins, Colo., last year. Matthew Brown/AP hide caption toggle caption Matthew Brown/AP U.S. Bureau of Land Management Acting Director William “Perry” Pendley speaks at a conference for journalists in Fort Collins, Colo., last year. Matthew Brown/AP The Trump administration says it will comply, for now, with a federal court ruling that blocks William Perry Pendley from continuing to serve as the temporary head of the Bureau of Land Management. The court sided with Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, who argued that Pendley’s continued appointment […]
Bureau of Land Management Acting Director William Perry Pendley, speaking at a conference last year. A federal judge has ruled that he isn’t eligible to continue to serve in that office. Matthew Brown/AP hide caption toggle caption Matthew Brown/AP Bureau of Land Management Acting Director William Perry Pendley, speaking at a conference last year. A federal judge has ruled that he isn’t eligible to continue to serve in that office. Matthew Brown/AP A federal judge in Montana has ousted President Trump’s top public lands official. The ruling blocks William Perry Pendley from continuing to serve as the temporary head of the […]
A home near Iowa, La., was crushed by a snapped tree after Hurricane Laura made landfall with 150 mile-per-hour winds Thursday. The area is facing two disasters at once. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR A home near Iowa, La., was crushed by a snapped tree after Hurricane Laura made landfall with 150 mile-per-hour winds Thursday. The area is facing two disasters at once. Kirk Siegler/NPR In Orange, Texas, just across the Sabine River from Louisiana, a line of cars hundreds deep snakes along a highway shoulder and into a parking lot. A local supermarket has set up an […]
After he refused to stand when asked, anti-government activist Ammon Bundy was wheeled into an elevator in a chair, following his arrest at the Idaho Statehouse in Boise Tuesday. Keith Ridler/AP hide caption toggle caption Keith Ridler/AP After he refused to stand when asked, anti-government activist Ammon Bundy was wheeled into an elevator in a chair, following his arrest at the Idaho Statehouse in Boise Tuesday. Keith Ridler/AP Ammon Bundy, who led an armed standoff against federal agents in Oregon in 2016, was arrested at the Idaho state capitol for trespassing and other charges following a protest Tuesday afternoon. Bundy has […]
The United States Postal Service warned states in late July 2020 that it might not be able to deliver mail-in ballots in time to be counted. Amid a growing outcry from rural leaders, the agency’s director recently backed down from planned broad cuts and changes. Pacific Press/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Ge hide caption toggle caption Pacific Press/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Ge The United States Postal Service warned states in late July 2020 that it might not be able to deliver mail-in ballots in time to be counted. Amid a growing outcry from rural leaders, the agency’s director recently backed down from planned broad […]
President Trump nominated William Perry Pendley in June to lead the Bureau of Land Management, but it has never been clear he had enough support to win confirmation in the Senate. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR President Trump nominated William Perry Pendley in June to lead the Bureau of Land Management, but it has never been clear he had enough support to win confirmation in the Senate. Kirk Siegler/NPR Amid pressure from Democrats and some Republicans, the Trump administration is planning to withdraw its controversial nominee to head the federal Bureau of Land Management. The sprawling public lands […]
Bureau of Land Management Acting Director William Perry Pendley speaking at a conference for journalists in Fort Collins, Colo., last October. Matthew Brown/AP hide caption toggle caption Matthew Brown/AP Bureau of Land Management Acting Director William Perry Pendley speaking at a conference for journalists in Fort Collins, Colo., last October. Matthew Brown/AP Republicans up for reelection in key western states could be facing an uncomfortable vote soon as President Trump’s controversial nominee to head the Bureau of Land Management is expected to come before the Senate for confirmation. Last week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee received final documents and […]
A hallway leads to a makeshift isolation ward for COVID-19 patients. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR A hallway leads to a makeshift isolation ward for COVID-19 patients. Kirk Siegler/NPR In the Idaho mountain town of Grangeville, population 3,200, signs in windows on Main Street advertise that Border Days “is on.” The annual Fourth of July celebration boasts street dances, Idaho’s longest-running rodeo and even the world’s largest egg toss. Like in a lot of small towns, Grangeville’s economy has been struggling throughout this pandemic. Border Days planners decided to go ahead with an altered, if slightly scaled back […]
Gov. Steve Bullock (D-Mont.), left, gets an update on coronavirus testing from councilman Martin Charlo of Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR Gov. Steve Bullock (D-Mont.), left, gets an update on coronavirus testing from councilman Martin Charlo of Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes. Kirk Siegler/NPR At a free, mass testing site on Montana’s Flathead Reservation, hundreds of people are queued up in idling cars. They’re waiting an hour or more for the irritating nose swab test for COVID-19, but most like Francine Van Maanen are just grateful to finally get one. “We enjoyed the […]
Cliven Bundy listens to other speakers before giving the keynote address to the state convention of the Independent American Party of Nevada, in February 2018. Scott Sonner/AP hide caption toggle caption Scott Sonner/AP Cliven Bundy listens to other speakers before giving the keynote address to the state convention of the Independent American Party of Nevada, in February 2018. Scott Sonner/AP It’s been more than two years since Cliven Bundy left the federal courthouse in downtown Las Vegas a free man. His arm around his wife, Carol Bundy, the Nevada rancher was defiant. “We’re not done with this,” Bundy told reporters in […]
Yellowstone National Park begins a phased reopening Monday, with the park’s Wyoming entrances slated to open for day use only. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR Yellowstone National Park begins a phased reopening Monday, with the park’s Wyoming entrances slated to open for day use only. Kirk Siegler/NPR Billed as the oldest operating hotel in West Yellowstone, Mont., the Madison is a short hop from the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. With its original pine log siding and thick wood beams, the historic hotel sits on a street squeezed with camera stores and trinket shops hawking Old Faithful […]
William Perry Pendley’s temporary appointment at the Burea of Land Management was recently extended for the fifth time since taking over the agency last summer. Kirk Siegler/NPR hide caption toggle caption Kirk Siegler/NPR William Perry Pendley’s temporary appointment at the Burea of Land Management was recently extended for the fifth time since taking over the agency last summer. Kirk Siegler/NPR In a federal lawsuit filed Monday, conservation groups allege the Trump administration’s continued use of temporary appointees to lead large federal lands agencies is a violation of federal law and the Constitution’s “advice and consent” clause. The suit, filed by the […]