New Drone Capabilities Coming to WCSAR
Thanks to an extraordinarily generous grant of $15,000 from The Wildhorse Foundation, Wallowa County Sheriff Search & Rescue (WCSAR) has added substantially to our capability with the recent acquisition of a new UAS (drone). This extremely advanced drone is highly effective for SAR due to its powerful combination of high-resolution thermal and visual cameras, a laser rangefinder, and advanced AI-powered object detection. It can operate in harsh conditions, and its long flight time allows for extensive area searches to find missing persons day or night, and can often cut search times in half. The ability of drones to access hard-to-reach areas quickly and safely has revolutionized how search and rescue teams operate. Drones can cover vast expanses of terrain in a fraction of the time it would take ground-based teams, providing real-time aerial imagery and data that is crucial for coordinating rescue efforts. This bird's-eye view allows rescuers to identify potential hazards, locate survivors, and plan the most effective routes for ground teams.
WCSAR covers northeast Oregon, and two extremely large, remote, rugged areas that are both high use areas for outdoor enthusiasts.
The Eagle Cap Wilderness, Oregon’s largest, at nearly 360,000 acres is characterized by high alpine lakes, granite peaks and ridges, and glaciated valleys.
Hells Canyon Recreation Area, hugging the borders of northeastern Oregon and western Idaho, holds 652,488 acres of steep rugged terrain. The deepest river gorge in North America is frequented by all recreationists on foot, boat, mountain bike, ATV/UTVs, and small airplanes.
Each year, the Wildhorse Foundation makes grants to eligible nonprofit, government, and Tribal organizations within the homeland area of the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla people. Also eligible for funding are Tribal government agencies or Native American charitable organizations with their base of operations within Oregon, as well as national or regional Indian organizations.
The Wildhorse Foundation has awarded a total of over $19 million in grant funding since its establishment in 2001. Grants are awarded on a quarterly basis with the deadlines being January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1. For more information, visit the Foundation’s website at www.thewildhorsefoundation.com.
The fund reflects the commitment of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) to take a proactive, positive role in the well-being of the community. Funds, derived from a percentage of revenues from Wildhorse Resort & Casino, are managed and distributed by a Board of Directors comprised of community leaders and representatives of the CTUIR.
