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Forest Service officials say they need to act quickly to remove dead and dying trees that could become fire fuel later on. “We live in a fire-prone landscape here in Central Oregon; more fires will occur in this area in the future,” said Kaitlyn Webb, Deschutes National Forest spokesperson. “Removing dead and dying trees within the Akawa Butte Fire area reduces wildfire risk to adjacent communities and makes it safer for firefighters to respond to future wildfires.” Environmental groups say the Forest Service is rushing a sensitive process. The Forest Service project includes logging about 37 miles of roadsides with no snag retention requirements, meaning loggers wouldn’t need to leave any dead, standing trees behind.
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