Federal officials are set to evict dozens of homeless individuals from an encampment within the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon, part of a broader effort to restore the area and mitigate wildfire risks. The encampment grew as many lost homes during the pandemic due to economic hardship, and those who refuse to leave could face legal penalties. A restraining order filed by residents and advocates to halt the eviction was denied by a U.S. District Court Judge, despite concerns about the impact on vulnerable individuals. The closure is part of the Cabin Butte Vegetation Management Project, which aims to reduce wildfire risks and restore natural habitats. While federal officials aim for voluntary compliance, they are prepared to enforce the closure to ensure public safety.

The U.S. Forest Service plans to evict homeless individuals from the Deschutes National Forest in Oregon as part of a forest restoration and wildfire mitigation effort, targeting an area that has seen an increase in encampments due to pandemic-related economic challenges.

Homeless individuals who refuse to vacate the forest could face penalties including a year in jail or a $5,000 fine, highlighting the severity of the enforcement measures being considered.

A restraining order to prevent the eviction, filed by residents and advocates citing potential harm to over 100 people, many with disabilities, was denied by a federal judge, underscoring the legal challenges faced by the homeless community.

The Cabin Butte Vegetation Management Project, which encompasses 30,000 acres, aims to mitigate wildfire risks and restore damaged habitats, necessitating the closure of the encampment and affecting recreational access until the following April.

Deschutes National Forest officials emphasize their preference for voluntary compliance with the eviction, but have stated that Forest Service officers will patrol the area to enforce the closure and ensure public safety.

Chris Daggett, a resident of the encampment, expressed the difficulties faced by those living in the forest, emphasizing that eviction would exacerbate their struggles to rebuild their lives without alternative housing options.

The eviction coincides with May Day, a day symbolizing the struggles of the working class, adding a poignant context to the eviction of individuals displaced by economic and housing challenges.