Harney County Sheriff David Ward on Sunday afternoon said a group of militants that seized an eastern Oregon wildlife refuge is trying to overthrow the local and federal governments.



Ward said the Harney County Sheriff's Office is working with several organizations to protect county residents and resolve the standoff at the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge headquarters south of Burns. The group of militants seized the headquarters, which was empty, after a march and protest Saturday in Burns.

Ward said the group hopes to spark a national movement.



The group, Ward said, comprises outsiders who came to Harney County claiming to be part of militia groups supporting local ranchers. In a news release Sunday, Ward said that "in reality these men had alternative motives to attempt to over throw the county and federal government in hopes to spark a movement across the United States."



Ward said his office has no information that residents of other areas of the county are in danger, but he asked anyone who comes in contact with the militants to avoid confrontation and contact law enforcement.



He asked the public to stay away from the refuge.

-- The Oregonian