The U.S. Forest Service is evicting dozens of homeless individuals from the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon to facilitate a wildfire prevention project involving tree removal, debris clearing, and controlled burns. This project, long planned, follows an executive order from the Trump administration to increase timber production and forest management. Homeless advocates criticize the timing, noting the increased number of people living in the forest due to economic hardships from the pandemic. Despite efforts to halt the eviction through a restraining order, a federal judge ruled in favor of the Forest Service, citing the public interest in forest restoration and wildfire prevention. The closure will affect all access to the area, and violators could face severe penalties including jail time and fines.

The U.S. Forest Service has initiated the eviction of homeless people from the Deschutes National Forest to conduct a wildfire prevention project designed to manage forest vegetation and reduce fire risks through controlled burns and debris removal.

The project has been under consideration for several years and was accelerated by a Trump administration executive order aimed at increasing timber production and improving forest management to mitigate wildfire risks.

The timing of the evictions has drawn criticism from homeless advocates who argue that the rising number of people living in the forest is due to pandemic-related job losses and housing affordability issues.

Efforts by residents and advocates to prevent the eviction through legal means were unsuccessful, as a federal judge ruled that the benefits of forest restoration and wildfire prevention outweighed the interests of the individuals residing there.

The area closure is comprehensive, restricting all forms of access, including recreational use, due to safety concerns while heavy machinery and prescribed burns are underway.

The U.S. Forest Service began notifying residents of the upcoming closure in January, and the original plans for the wildfire mitigation project were authorized in 2023.

The closure, which will last at least a year, includes potential penalties for violators, such as fines and imprisonment, as the Forest Service seeks to ensure compliance and public safety.