The Humboldt River Field Office has concluded the Jakes Fire emergency wild horse gather
WINNEMUCCA, Nev. – On January 26, 2026, the Humboldt River Field Office (HRFO) began the 2026 Jakes Fire emergency wild horse gather and concluded the operation on January 30, 2026. The gather was located on the Snowstorm and Little Humboldt Herd Management Areas located approximately 45 miles northeast of Winnemucca in Humboldt County, Nevada.
The BLM gathered and removed 180 excess wild horses. The purpose of the gather was to prevent undue or unnecessary degradation of the public lands associated with excess wild horses, to restore a thriving natural ecological balance and multiple-use relationship on public lands, consistent with the provisions of Section 1333(b) of the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
The gather aims to humanely and safely remove wild horses from the Snowstorm Mountain and Little Humboldt HMAs within the Owyhee Complex and the boundary of the Jakes Fire. Due due to the vegetation and drought-impacts the range and has jeopardized both the health of the land and the wild horse population. The gather is essential to address herd overpopulation and ensure the future well-being of both the horses and their habitat.
The BLM transported wild horses removed from the range to the Winnemucca Off-Range Wild Horse and Burro Corrals located in Paradise Valley, Nevada. The horses will be readied for the wild horse adoption and sale program. Wild horses not adopted or sold will be placed in long-term pastures where they will be humanely cared for and retain their “wild” status and protection under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act.
To view planning documents for this gather, go to National BLM NEPA Registry. For technical information, contact Brianna Brodowski, Wild Horse and Burro Specialist at (775) 623-1500.
For information on how to adopt or purchase a wild horse or burro, visit www.blm.gov/whb.
The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.