JOHN DAY, Ore. — If you spend enough time at prayer circles organized by the Rainbow Family of Living Light, you’ll likely hear the Legend of the Rainbow Warriors, which refers to a group of people from all races and creeds who rise up to save the Earth during a time of environmental crisis.
The legend refers to the Rainbow Family, a disparate counterculture community that has brought around 15,000 people to the Malheur National Forest north of Burns to camp, barter, pray, spin fire and more for a week.
However, threats of trampled meadows, disturbed wildlife and other impacts have U.S. Forest Service officials concerned that an unpermitted gathering loosely intended to save the Earth could end up harming the portion it occupies.
“Any time you put close to 10,000 people in a spot, you’re going to have problems,” said Dave Halemeier, Blue Mountain district ranger for the Malheur National Forest.