Willamette National Forest

Operations are expected to continue through the month, weather permitting.

The Trump administration’s mass firings of federal employees are being felt especially hard in rural communities across Oregon. While the potential impact to the state’s unemployment rate won’t be known until late March, workers who recently lost their jobs are already feeling the effects.

The DOGE-driven purge of federal workers is leaving Oregon’s National Forests with fewer caretakers.

The surprise move brings an abrupt end to a yearslong process to craft a nationwide plan that would better protect old trees that are increasingly threatened by climate change.

For those interested in a unique, outdoor family outing, permits are available to harvest Christmas trees from Oregon’s national forests.

As Oregon’s wildfire season continues to wind down, several areas in the Willamette National Forest have reopened to the public.

Tuesday morning transportation officials announced the closure of Highway 126 between mileposts 13 and 19.5. Highway 242, the Old McKenzie Highway is also closed to all traffic.

Fire officials say the milder weather has helped, but heavy forest fuels are still a concern.

Although crews have made progress containing some of the wildfires burning on the Willamette National Forest, officials say increased fire activity is possible.

Fire crews are already spread thin across dozens of large Oregon wildfires. Officials say conditions will likely get worse before they get better.

Wildfires continue to burn in Western Oregon despite a slightly cooler weather and a light overnight rain.

About 125 fires are burning across the state and the largest fire in the country is in eastern Oregon. All these fires are putting a strain on crews and resources.