Overview

• The U.S. Forest Service cleared a homeless encampment in Deschutes National Forest on May 1, 2025, as part of the Cabin Butte Vegetation Management Project aimed at wildfire risk reduction.
• U.S. District Court Judge Michael McShane denied a temporary restraining order earlier this week, allowing the closure to proceed despite concerns raised by campers and advocates.
• Advocates estimate that around 80 individuals remained in the forest prior to the eviction, many of whom had lost their homes during the pandemic due to job losses and rising housing costs.
• Displaced residents face potential penalties, including up to one year in jail or $5,000 in fines, if they refuse to leave the area now under patrol by Forest Service officers.
• Local advocates warn that the eviction leaves people with limited housing and support options, exacerbating the ongoing homelessness crisis in the region.