Hundreds Evicted from Deschutes Forest in Mass Closure

Hundreds of homeless campers in the Deschutes National Forest near Bend, Oregon, were evicted after the U.S. Forest Service ordered the closure of nearly 26,000 acres for at least a year due to wildfire risk and restoration efforts. Many of the displaced, some long-term residents of the forest, struggled to find alternatives, with some relocating to a temporary safe site at Juniper Ridge. The closure, described by advocates as possibly the largest federal eviction of homeless people in recent U.S. history, drew criticism from groups such as the ACLU and National Homelessness Law Center. A federal judge denied a last-minute restraining order to delay the eviction, leaving many with limited options. Volunteers and outreach organizations provided last-minute assistance as concerns grew over displacement and possible confrontations with authorities. The event spotlights Central Oregon's persistent housing crisis and the competing demands of land management and humanitarian needs.