Forestry - News in the Grove

2021 heat dome left Rhode Island-sized damage in Oregon’s, Washington’s western forests

Using satellite imagery, researchers have discovered that nearly 5% of Oregon and Washington’s western forest canopy — about the size of Rhode Island — was scorched and damaged in the multi-day 2021 heat dome.

By Alex Baumhardt

/ 14 Nov 2025

2021 heat dome left Rhode Island-sized damage in Oregon’s, Washington’s western forests

State forestry officials face backlash over Astoria timber sales, board member resigns in wake

A vague letter about a timber sale near Astoria started a year-long series of communication breakdowns that resulted in blowups at board of forestry meetings, an $8,000 mediator's bill and one board member—a Forest Grove resident and former Pacific University professor—quitting.

By Alex Baumhardt

/ 15 May 2025

State forestry officials face backlash over Astoria timber sales, board member resigns in wake

Oregon needs more money to fight big wildfires. Who should pay for it?

Two senators aim to boost funding to the states firefighting efforts, one funded by the public, the other by timber companies.

By Alex Baumhardt - Oregon Capital Chronicle

/ 3 Jan 2024

Oregon needs more money to fight big wildfires. Who should pay for it?

Don't chop down a Christmas tree in a state forest

Can you go into the Tillamook State Forest and chop down a Christmas tree to put in your living room? Nobut you can gather materials to assemble a wreath. Here's how.

By Chas Hundley

/ 4 Dec 2023

Don't chop down a Christmas tree in a state forest

Oregon Appeals Court reverses $1.1 billion verdict over state forest management

The Oregon Court of Appeals on Wednesday reversed a $1.1 billion verdict against the state for how it manages forests, ruling that the state wasnt obligated to maximize logging and profits.

By Julia Shumway - Oregon Capital Chronicle

/ 29 Apr 2022

Oregon Appeals Court reverses $1.1 billion verdict over state forest management

State takes next steps on plan to protect threatened species in western forests

A plan to protect critical animal habitat in nearly 640,000 acres of western Oregon state forests is moving towards its final stages. An environmental impact review of the Western

By Alex Baumhardt - Oregon Capital Chronicle

/ 28 Mar 2022

State takes next steps on plan to protect threatened species in western forests

Cal Mukumoto tapped to become next State Forester

Calvin Teruo Mukumoto during an October 20, 2021 Board of Forestry meeting held virtually. The next leader of the Oregon Department of Forestry was selected Friday morning by the Oregon

By Chas Hundley

/ 29 Oct 2021

Cal Mukumoto tapped to become next State Forester

Oregon Board of Forestry expected to select next State Forester during Friday meeting

Nancy Hirsch, pictured here with departing Oregon Department of Forestry State Forester Peter Daugherty in December of 2018 at her retirement as deputy state forester. Photo: ODF The Oregon Board

By Chas Hundley

/ 26 Oct 2021

Oregon Board of Forestry expected to select next State Forester during Friday meeting

Board of Forestry to meet July 12 in state forester search process

Nancy Hirsch, pictured here with departing Oregon Department of Forestry State Forester Peter Daugherty in December of 2018 at her retirement as deputy state forester. Photo: ODF The Oregon Board

By Chas Hundley

/ 7 Jul 2021

Board of Forestry to meet July 12 in state forester search process

Oregon Board of Forestry to seek new State Forester following Peter Daugherty's resignation

Peter Daugherty (center) during a Salmonberry Trail Intergovernmental Agency meeting on August 4, 2017 in Grand Ronde. Photo: Chas Hundley The Oregon Board of Forestry will meet Thursday, May 20

By Chas Hundley

/ 19 May 2021

Oregon Board of Forestry to seek new State Forester following Peter Daugherty's resignation

ODF urges landowners to prevent beetle infestation in storm-downed Douglas Fir

ODF offices in Forest Grove. Photo: Chas Hundley The Oregon Department of Forestry says the 2021 ice storm, which brought down many large-diameter Douglas-firs across the state created the potential

By Daniel Pearson - Gales Creek Journal

/ 18 Feb 2021

ODF urges landowners to prevent beetle infestation in storm-downed Douglas Fir

Gales Creek stream restoration project highlighted in timber revenue report

The Tillamook Forest Center. Photo: Chas Hundley The Oregon Department of Forestry issued an annual report that shows revenue from timber operations in the Tillamook State Forest to Tillamook, Washington

By Chas Hundley

/ 18 Dec 2020

Gales Creek stream restoration project highlighted in timber revenue report