Abstract
This brief examines climate change and forest conditions in eastern Oregon. Eastern Oregon is experiencing warmer, drier conditions and increased numbers of wildfires. Surveys of the Oregon public find that forest health and wildfire threats are widely shared concerns. The more knowledgeable residents say they are about forest management, the more likely they are to say that forests are becoming less healthy. Majorities support active forest management (forest thinning, surface fuel reduction) and restoration to reduce the likelihood of high-severity wildfires that would damage forest resources and threaten local communities. The authors conclude that forests continue to be an important part of the heritage of western lands, and their management is a crucial issue of our time. Engaging private forest owners who are not actively managing their lands and developing new partnerships to support active management on public lands are essential to addressing the threats confronting the Blue Mountains and the Inland Northwest.
Publication Date
Fall 10-17-2017
Series
National Issue Brief No. 127
Publisher
Durham, N.H. : Carsey School of Public Policy, University of New Hampshire
Document Type
Article
Recommended Citation
Hartter, Joel; Hamilton, Lawrence; Ducey, Mark; Boag, Angela; Chistoffersen, Nils; Belair, Ethan; Oester, Paul; Palace, Michael; and Stevens, Forrest, "Drier Conditions, More Wildfire, and Heightened Concerns About Forest Management in Eastern Oregon" (2017). Carsey School of Public Policy. 317.
https://scholars.unh.edu/carsey/317
Rights
Copyright 2017. Carsey School of Public Policy. These materials may be used for the purposes of research, teaching, and private study. For all other uses, contact the copyright holder.
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.34051/p/2020.306