Homelessness is a pervasive issue that cloaks every state in the U.S., yet some blue states appear to have allowed the situation to escalate dramatically.
In Oregon, the U.S. Forest Service has announced plans for essential maintenance in a national forest, which necessitates the removal of a significant homeless encampment.
This maintenance involves brush clearing and controlled burns—tasks that California notably neglected, contributing to disastrous wildfires earlier this year.
Interestingly, the Associated Press frames this situation as an ‘eviction,’ suggesting a semblance of legality to the homeless individuals’ presence:
US Forest Service starts clearing homeless camp in Oregon national forest
Dozens of homeless individuals who have resided in a central Oregon national forest for years were reportedly being evicted Thursday by the U.S. Forest Service, as the area was closed for a wildfire prevention project that includes the removal of smaller trees, debris clearing, and controlled burns over thousands of acres.
This project has been planned for years, and the decision to dismantle the encampment in the Deschutes National Forest aligns with an executive order from the Trump administration aimed at boosting timber production and forest management efforts to mitigate wildfire risks.
Kaitlyn Webb, a spokesperson for Deschutes National Forest, stated in an email that the closure order was “directly tied to the forest restoration work.” Meanwhile, advocates for the homeless seized upon the timing as U.S. Forest Service officers blocked access roads.
Ward Clark expressed his thoughts on the situation at RedState:
“Let’s set the record straight: These individuals are not being ‘evicted.’ The term ‘eviction’ implies a legal right to occupy the space in the first place. They are trespassing, violating numerous environmental regulations outlined by the Forest Service, and hindering the legitimate utilization of these lands by taxpayers. While camping is permitted in national forests, there are restrictions—most forests enforce a 14-day limit. Many of these individuals have been in this location for years.”
These national forests are meant to serve the enjoyment of all Americans, not as permanent residences for those experiencing homelessness.
