Something about this story doesn’t smell right. That part of Oregon has pretty sparse growth. It is hard for me to imagine enough fuel to sustain the kind of fires they are talking about.
I think the informers are lying through their teeth. Juniper burns pretty hot, but you only see small clumps of it here and there.
What we are not hearing about is what created the obvious antagonism with the feds. My guess (because I am familiar with similar stories) is the feds would not allow them to destroy the invasive plant species that were reducing the graze. The feds are supposed to maintain and improve the grazing, but they rarely, if ever, do. They probably did a range assessment and noted the encroachment by the invasive species. Then either said they were going to reduce the number of animals allowed to graze (AUMs) or fine them for not maintaining the grazing properly - even though the feds are supposed to do it and are paid by the ranchers for “range management” (usually loosely interpreted by the feds as “cattlemen harassment”)
This kind of behavior is standard procedure. The feds tend to view the ranchers as adversaries and rarely form cooperative working relationships with them.
They invite these situations with their “high-horse”, heavy-handed approach.
The feds could help themselves immensely and avoid these confrontations, if they, as public servants, chose to work with the ranchers instead of against them. They are often young, with an “I’m with the government, I have a college degree, so I know more than you do and I will by God make you listen to me” attitude. Which doesn’t go over very well with guys who have been watching grass, graze and browse like their lives depended on it since the fed whippersnapper’s daddy was in diapers.
When you lease land you have to play by their rules and many of the ranchers leasing BLM seem to forget that. I haven’t seen the contract but if it’s like most it’s surface only and any and all work done on the land must be approved by the owner. Leasing land is like renting a house, you don’t own it you don’t control it and you never will. Don’t lease from the BLM.
I saw it posted on here a number of times in the past that the Feds want to clear out the ranchers and people on Government owned land. I have also read on here about them harassing gold mine owners to the point that it wasn’t worth it to remain in business since the muslim began occupying the White House. One of the reasons that they wanted the ranchers and others gone is because of U.N, Agenda 21. They may be others, I don’t know. But what I do know is that when the call to turn in your firearms and ammunition to the Government Agents, those on here [this forum, FreeRepublic.com] that are railing against these people will be railing against those who refuse to disarm themselves. The same words and phrases that are used to describe those in Oregon will be used to describe those who refuse to surrender their guns and ammunition by the same posters that are railing against these guys. Quislings never change.
I think your assessment of the situation is spot on.... In my dealings with rangers in the national forest I find them to be absolute pricks.... (Pardon my French).