NortheastCode Oregon Living of the West MOTHER NATURE ■■ Trees and Fire Danger
A moist, green open space surrounding your dwellings can provide a defensible perimeter in the event of a wildfire. Consult the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Web site, www. odf.state.or.us., for information on how to make your property defensible. ■■ Steep and North-Facing Slopes
Steep slopes can slide in unusually wet weather. They are also likely sites for damaging snow slides in the winter. Northfacing slopes rarely see direct sunlight during the winter months, which means there is a possibility that snow and ice will not melt for the entire winter. ■■ Winter Chinooks and Spring Run-off
During the winter, Union and Wallowa counties can experience a sudden, warm wind with rain. This “chinook” can cause excessive run-off and flooding. Water run-off in the spring when the snow melts can cause small creeks to become major rivers for a few weeks or months.
Phil Bullock /The Observer
A bobcat watches from a tree perch.
• Driving on highways where deer or elk can suddenly appear in your headlights ■■ Other Hazards
Many areas in Union and Wallowa counties are open to hunting and fishing, which means your rural property may border public lands and be impacted by shooting, etc.
The weather is big factor everywhere, and Union and Wallowa Counties can experience severe wind storms, lightning, hail and heavy snow. Also, wind and snow can cause drifts in some areas and roads.
■■ Wildlife
CATTLE DRIVES
While living near wildlife makes for good animal-watching and photographic opportunities, it may present some challenges: • Protecting children and pets from cougars, coyotes and deer • Protecting vegetable and flower gardens from deer, raccoons and other wildlife • Protecting fruit trees from deer • Dealing with nuisance animals such as skunks, porcupines, rats and snakes
Livestock continues to be the largest sector of Wallowa County’s agricultural economy, which is vastly dominated by cattle. With an estimated 115,000 beef cows in the county — about seven times more than the human population — cattle drives are inevitable, and they can occur on almost any road in the county (an obvious exception is Interstate 84). Cattle drives are most common during spring, when ranchers move cows from winter pastures to summer, and during fall, when cattle make the return trip. But drives can happen any time of the year.
■■ Hunting and Fishing
NORTHEAST OREGON LIVING
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