Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex

Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex The Mid-Columbia River National Wildlife Refuge Complex includes McNary, Umatilla, Cold Springs and McKay Creek Refuges

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McKAY CREEK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE GATE OPENAerial collection of water from McKay Creek Reservoir to support suppressi...
09/03/2026

McKAY CREEK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE GATE OPEN

Aerial collection of water from McKay Creek Reservoir to support suppression of the Paradise and Hagen Fires is no longer necessary. Thus, the gate is now open at McKay Creek NWR and the reservoir is open for boating. Thank you for your patience.

Photo Credit: Walt Haerer

PUBLIC HEALTH WARNINGToxic blue green algae (cyanobacteria) are present in the waters near the headquarters and Quail Tr...
08/28/2026

PUBLIC HEALTH WARNING
Toxic blue green algae (cyanobacteria) are present in the waters near the headquarters and Quail Trail at McNary National Wildlife Refuge. Avoid all contact.

Thank you to the Walla Walla County Department of Community Health for the monitoring and public notification support.

Want to ease into retirement? Looking for a career transition or just want a part-time job? The Central Washington Natio...
08/06/2026

Want to ease into retirement? Looking for a career transition or just want a part-time job? The Central Washington National Wildlife Refuge Complex is looking for a part-time biologist focusing on core biology functions on Hanford Reach National Monument. The position is being offered through the National Experienced Workforce Solutions (NEW Solutions) program, which specializes in connecting experienced workers (age 55 and older) with full-time and part-time job opportunities.

https://newsolutions.org/jobs/position-details/?position_id=9816

McKAY CREEK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE GATE CLOSUREThe gates at McKay Creek NWR are currently closed to preserve public sa...
08/06/2026

McKAY CREEK NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE GATE CLOSURE
The gates at McKay Creek NWR are currently closed to preserve public safety while fire aircraft dip water from the reservoir. It is undetermined when the reservoir will no longer be needed for fire suppression. No boating is allowed. However, pedestrian access is still permitted past the gates. You may still fish from the shoreline, hike, or pursue any other allowed land-based activities. Please check here for updates.



A BIG THANK YOU to the Columbia Basin Longbeards and Washington State chapters of the The National Wild Turkey Federatio...
08/04/2026

A BIG THANK YOU to the Columbia Basin Longbeards and Washington State chapters of the The National Wild Turkey Federation for sponsoring a project to restore fire-damaged habitat adjacent to Sanctuary Pond at McNary National Wildlife Refuge!! This riparian area burned in 2023, killing many standing cottonwoods and understory shrubs. To remedy the habitat loss, black cottonwoods, peachleaf and coyote willow, chokecherry, hawthorn, golden currant, serviceberry, and other native trees and shrubs will be planted. Protective materials such as cages will be used to increase tree and shrub survival. This project will enhance roosting and foraging opportunities for turkeys in the area, while improving habitat for mule deer, pheasants, and a great diversity of songbirds such as Bullock’s Oriole, Lazuli Bunting, and Western Kingbird. USFWS and NWTF staff and volunteers will work together to coordinate and execute the replanting. The project will also incorporate a volunteer-assisted turkey survey to establish baseline population numbers.

Photo Credit: Walt Haerer

The final patrols of the Lamdin Fire have been completed and all areas of McNary National Wildlife Refuge that were norm...
07/10/2026

The final patrols of the Lamdin Fire have been completed and all areas of McNary National Wildlife Refuge that were normally open to the public are now back open. Please be aware of fire-damaged trees and the presence of widow-makers and please keep vehicles on designated roads and parking areas. Thank you.

Photo Credit: Steven Kahl/USFWS

The Pacific Northwest-Columbia Region of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is looking for an experienced, innovative, and s...
07/06/2026

The Pacific Northwest-Columbia Region of U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is looking for an experienced, innovative, and skilled individual as the Refuge Manager for the Hanford Reach National Monument. The announcement for the position is now open and is posted on USAJobs and will run through July 20, 2026. The position is opened to current career or career-conditional federal employees, former federal employees with reinstatement eligibility, land management eligible, veterans, as well as people eligible under other special hiring authorities (e.g., Peace Corp). For questions, reach out to Trina Staloch, [email protected]. Be sure to share this rare opportunity far and wide.

Announcement Number: R1-26-12999279-JP-MP on www.usajobs.com

Photo: White Bluffs Evening, John Clement

Are you an experienced services professional looking for a meaningful opportunity to assist the Hanford Reach National M...
07/02/2026

Are you an experienced services professional looking for a meaningful opportunity to assist the Hanford Reach National Monument (Monument) with our biology program? We want to hear from you!

We will soon be seeking motivated individuals to join our team through NEW Solutions in a year-long opportunity — 20 hours per week — where your skills and experience can make a real impact.

To be eligible, you must be enrolled in the NEW Solutions ESP (Experienced Services Professional) program. To get started, here is the NEW Solutions application portal: https://newsolutions.acquiretm.com/job_details_clean.aspx?ID=3945&source=NEW+Solutions+Website

The Monument will be looking to connect with an experienced services professional for an opportunity to assist with our biology program in the near future. Don't miss out — have your NEW Solutions application submitted now in order to apply for the Monuments opportunity!

LAMBDIN FIRE UPDATE: JULY 2, 2026The Lambdin Fire has consumed approximately 13,000 acres in Walla Walla County. This in...
07/02/2026

LAMBDIN FIRE UPDATE: JULY 2, 2026
The Lambdin Fire has consumed approximately 13,000 acres in Walla Walla County. This includes approximately 1,000 acres of the Wallula Unit at McNary National Wildlife Refuge. The fire is not fully extinguished on the south side of the Walla Walla River. Thus, areas normally accessible from Game Department Road are closed. This is necessary to preserve public safety and to avoid any possible interference with fire mop-up activities. All areas on the north side of the Walla Walla River accessible from North Shore Road are open.

Photo Credit: Luke Roser/USFWS

UPDATE: JULY 1, 2026The Lambdin Fire has consumed approximately 13,000 acres in Walla Walla County. This includes approx...
06/30/2026

UPDATE: JULY 1, 2026
The Lambdin Fire has consumed approximately 13,000 acres in Walla Walla County. This includes approximately 1,000 acres of the Wallula Unit at McNary National Wildlife Refuge. The fire on the refuge is not fully extinguished, thus we are asking the public to avoid accessing the areas of this unit that are on the south side of the river, east of the Madame Dorion fishing access site until further notice. The areas on the north side of the river east of the Millet Ponds access road are also closed. This is necessary to preserve everyone's safety and to avoid any possible interference with fire suppression activities. Fire crews are actively working to contain the blaze, and we anticipate providing another update within 24 hours. Thank you.

Photo Credit: Luke Roser/USFWS

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64 Maple Street
Burbank, WA
99323

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