Fire Torches Lahontan Habitat

SOUTHEASTERN, OR—ODFW has suspended fishing in several of the state’s Lahontan cutthroat streams due to severe habitat destruction from the recent Holloway fire. According to area fish biologists, the 245,505-acre burn decimated riparian vegetation on some stream sections and fire fighters observed fish dying from asphyxiation.

Via The Columbia Basin Bulletin: “Long-term impacts could include higher water temperatures in summer, lower water temperatures in winter, and increased sediment from eroding soils…. The loss is particularly notable because the burned area includes Oregon’s only pure native Lahontan cutthroat trout populations.”

The following streams are closed to all fishing until further notice:

—In the Willow-Whitehorse Basin: all streams including but not limited to Cottonwood, Doolittle, Fifteeenmile, Little Whitehorse, Whitehorse and Willow creeks.

—In the McDermitt Creek Subbasin: Cottonwood, McDermitt and N. Fork McDermitt creeks.

—In the Quinn Basin (Malheur County): Indian and Sage creeks will remain closed.

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