Derek Shoun, Fire Mitigation Specialist, Bureau of Land Management

Derek Shoun is a Fire Mitigation Specialist working with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In this role, he focuses on wildfire mitigation, preparedness, prevention, and education, working collaboratively with various community partners to develop projects to benefit southeast Oregon. "As a Fire Mitigation Specialist, I get to work a lot with the community and partners. My primary duties are to work with our partners and community in a collaborative manner to develop wildfire mitigation and preparedness projects. I work closely with the Harney County Wildfire Collaborative, High Desert Partnership, Rangeland Fire Protection Associations, county and city government, Harney County Emergency Management, Grant & Harney County Fire Prevention Cooperative, and many other charitable and community organizations."

Derek's career path to his current position is marked by diverse experiences. He spent 11 years in the U.S. Army before returning to Oregon, where he worked in fire suppression with both the BLM and U.S. Forest Service (USFS). His desire to be more involved with the community and address the root causes of wildfire occurrences led him to transition into wildfire prevention. He gained valuable experience as the Fire Prevention lead for both the Klamath National Forest in California and the Umpqua National Forest, where he honed his skills in building effective programs and fostering community relationships. "I decided to apply for this position here because growing up in Lake County this is a similar country and I wanted to work in an environment I was used to and do my part to help Harney County as much as I could. I am very thankful for the relationships I have built over these last several years and I am looking forward to the continued partnerships to continue to keep the communities prepared and work towards the goal of a fire resilient community that can handle what mother nature throws at us."

In his current role, Derek's responsibilities vary with the seasons. Spring finds him focused on community preparedness, including updating the Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP) and organizing the annual Wildfire Preparedness Week event, also known as FireWise Day. During the summer, he divides his time between wildfire response, fire investigation, and overseeing fuels reduction projects. These projects, such as the Radar Hill Fuel Break and the Burns Butte Communications Facility treatment, often extend into the fall as weather permits. Winter is dedicated to planning future projects and exploring new ways to support the communities surrounding public lands. "The Burns Butte Communications Facility project is one of several wildfire mitigation projects that I am working on to help our community. This area was identified by the Community Wildfire Preparedness Plan as a critical infrastructure to our county and its importance to keep communications with the outside world."

Derek is an active participant in the Harney County Wildfire Collaborative, which he views as a vital platform for bringing together diverse stakeholders to address wildfire challenges collectively. "It was natural to do the job that I do to be a part of the wildfire collaborative. The Harney County Wildfire Collaborative to me is a great part of working in Harney County. This platform provides an amazing opportunity for everyone to get together at the table and discuss the needs of all to approach the wildfire situation in our local area. It gives everyone a voice and allows for the opportunity for people with different value sets and goals to understand each other’s stance."

When not at work, Derek enjoys the natural beauty of Harney County. "When I’m not at work I enjoy flyfishing many of the local stream’s lakes and ponds and exploring a lot of the great natural areas we have here in Harney County. I enjoy being involved with our community as a member of local organizations and participating in community events. Harney County is a great place to live, and I look forward to continuing to make this my home and build relationships with the great people here."