US Forest Service evicts dozens of homeless people in Oregon forest

In the United States, specifically in central Oregon, the U.S. Forest Service carried out the eviction of several homeless individuals residing in Deschutes National Forest on May 1, 2025. The agency had been preparing for this operation for years, instituting plans aimed at forest restoration and wildfire mitigation. The area where the homeless encampments existed had become increasingly populated, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic when many individuals lost their jobs and subsequently their homes. Reports indicated that the number of people in the forest had swelled to around 200 a few months prior to the operation, leading to heightened tensions as the closure date approached. The eviction process was met with considerable backlash from advocates for the homeless. A group of four individuals, along with two advocates, attempted to file for a restraining order in federal court to prevent the eviction. Their argument revolved around the assertion that the closure would cause irreversible damage to the lives of over 100 residents, many of whom were disabled. However, U.S. District Court Judge Michael McShane denied their request, allowing the eviction to proceed as planned. Many of the homeless individuals expressed feelings of despair and hopelessness as they faced displacement without immediate alternatives for housing. This operation is intertwined with broader federal policies focused on increasing timber production and enhancing forest management to mitigate wildfire risks. This initiative was notably escalated following an executive order from the Trump administration late last year, which called for greater logging activities in U.S. national forests. As a result of this logging emphasis, the Forest Service's actions appear to reflect a strong commitment to creating safer ecosystems while simultaneously addressing the issue of encroaching homelessness. The eviction and subsequent forest closure have led to public outcry and raised questions about appropriate solutions for the homeless population in Oregon and beyond. The Cabin Butte Vegetation Management Project, which was a key driver behind the forest closure, involves removing smaller trees, clearing hazardous debris, and executing controlled burns over a substantial area of the forest to minimize wildfire risk. The recreation sites and the trails in this section of the forest will be inaccessible for up to a year. Despite official intentions to restore forested areas and prevent wildfires, the plight of the displaced individuals remains a focal point of concern as they now transition from being forest dwellers to facing the uncertainty of finding stable housing amidst rising housing costs.