WILDFIRES Thursday, July 14, 2022 East Oregonian A9 USFS pays $115K to settle Big fi re risk up in parts of West salvage logging lawsuit By MATEUSZ PERKOWSKI Capital Press SALEM — The U.S. Forest Service has agreed to curtail logging and pay environmental advocates $115,000 to settle a lawsuit over post- fi re timber salvage in Oregon. In 2020, massive wildfi res burned 1 million acres of forestland in the state, including 176,000 acres in the Willamette National Forest. The flames swept through two previously approved forest projects, prompting the Forest Service to adjust those plans to include post-fi re salvage logging. The Lang Dam and Highway 46 projects initially focused on commer- cially thinning roughly 2,600 acres to reduce tree density and were not chal- lenged in federal court. However, the Cascadia Wildlands and Oregon Wild nonprofi ts brought legal action against the revised plans, alleging they should have undergone additional environmental analysis. Last year, U.S. District Judge Ann Aiken ruled in favor of the environ- mental plaintiff s and issued a prelimi- nary injunction that blocked the Forest Service from conducting post-fi re salvage logging. However, that injunction was not permanent and the litigation was allowed to proceed. The environmental plaintiff s have now struck a settlement deal under which the agency has agreed not to move forward with many of the planned timber sale units. Other units were modifi ed to reduce their size or to ensure they retain at least 60% canopy cover. “Generally, the vast majority of post-fi re clear-cutting got dropped,” said Nick Cady, attorney for Cascadia Wildlands. Thinning operations that were planned before the fi res can mostly move forward, though some older forest stands will not be logged, he said. Post-fi re logging is particularly damaging to the environment because it aggravates the erosion of vulnerable soils in burned stands, Cady said. The agency seized on the oppor- tunity to fulfi ll timber sale contracts by cutting the damaged trees, he said. The nearby Breitenbush commu- nity was closely involved in develop- ing the original pre-fi re projects but wasn’t allowed to off er input on the revised salvage plans, he said. “We caught the Forest Service kind of red-handed,” he said. “This was the Forest Service trying to cut that community completely out.” The Forest Service has also agreed to pay $115,000 in litigation costs and to provide the environmental plaintiff s with monthly updates and at least one fi eld trip to inspect the operations. The settlement agreement has “no precedential value” and cannot be cited by the environmental groups as case law in other litigation. By BRAD CARLSON Capital Press SALEM — The risk of large wildfi res remains above normal this month in parts of Oregon, Washing- ton and California, according to the National Interagency Fire Center’s Predictive Services unit. “For at least the next two months, we have above-normal signifi cant fi re potential along and east of the Cascades, much of northern Cali- fornia and central California, north- west Nevada and southwest Idaho,” said Nick Nauslar, a meteorologist at the Fire Center in Boise. He said forecasters remain concerned about long-term drought and fi ne-fuel loading. An unusually wet spring in spots plumped grasses and shrubs, increasing available fi re fuel. “We are worried about fine- fuel loading in northwest Nevada, Eastern Oregon, southwest Idaho and even into the Columbia Basin,” Nauslar said. In forested areas from central California into the Oregon Cascades, forecasters remain concerned about long-term drought, he said. These areas now appear likely to see drought persist and possibly worsen. The July-October report said climate outlooks indicate below-normal precipitation is likely across much of the Plains through the central Rocky Mountains and into the Inland Pacifi c Northwest. InciWeb/Contributed Photo The likelihood of wildfi res in 2022 will increase in some parts of the West, according to a new forecast. Above-normal temperatures are likely across much of the contigu- ous U.S. Drought continues across 75% of the West and much of the central and southern Plains, the Fire Center said. Extreme to exceptional drought continues over much of California, eastern Oregon and the Great Basin. Drought improved or ceased across much of the Northwest, Idaho and Montana, though it intensifi ed in a part of north-central Montana. Large-fi re potential is above-nor- mal in July in central and southeast Oregon and in parts of central and southeast Washington, the report said. The above-normal risk of large fi res broadens in August, and in September is expected to spread to west-central Oregon. EASTERN OREGON marketplace Place classified ads online at www.easternoregonmarketplace.com or call 1-800-962-2819 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. After hours, leave a voicemail and we’ll confirm your ad the next business day. Email us at classifieds@ eastoregonian.com East Oregonian Deadline is 3 p.m. the day before publication 211 S.E. Byers Ave. 333 E. Main St. We accept: Pendleton, OR 97801 Hermiston, OR 97838 See www.easternoregonmarketplace.com for classified ads from all over Eastern Oregon EAST OREGONIAN • HERMISTON HERALD • BLUE MOUNTAIN EAGLE • WALLOWA COUNTY CHIEFTAIN 103 Announcements 401 Garage/Yard Sales 504 Homes for Sale 504 Homes for Sale 504 Homes for Sale 651 Help Wanted Rod Raines - your storage unit #26 will be foreclosed upon un- less full payment is made. LARGE MULTI FAMILY YARD SALE Fri. & Sat., July 15 & 16 only! 7am-? 32489 Baxter Road (off Diagonal), Hermiston, Follow Signs. Furniture, jewelry, Christmas trees & Christmas items, photo printer, 2 vacuum cleaners, lots of nice clothing (girls, women & mens) Women & Men’s scrubs, lots of bedding, purses, kitchen items, glassware, porcelain dolls, collectible wall plates, a variety of books & picture frames, lots of swimsuits, exer- cise equipment and more, too many items to list! Very clean and organized. Baxter Road, off Diagonal., Hermiston, OR. What is on your WISHLIST? Call Kerry at 541-377-6855 to find your forever home with TURN HERE REALTY & TRAVEL 305 SW Court Ave., Pendleton email: kjcbaird@gmail.com How Much is your Home Worth? Call Matt Vogler, The Weekend and After Hours Agent, for a free Market Analysis. 541.377.9470. More Listings needed to meet current buyer demand! Matt Vogler John J. Howard & Assoc. (541) 377-9470 Sherwood Opportunity Nearby to school and parks this 2 bed home is on a large fenced lot with detached garage and sepa- rate workshop. The covered back porch is perfect for the summer breeze and BBQ area. $190,000. Call Kerry at 541-377-6855 for all your real estate needs. TURN HERE REALTY & TRAVEL 305 SW Court Ave., Pendleton The City of Stanfield is cur- rently accepting applications for the position of Police Offi- cer. This is a full-time benefit eligible position. Salary range is $52,000-$74,000 DOE. Full job description, application, and instructions to apply are available online at http://cityof- stanfield.com/employment. First review of applications is July 25, 2022. Teonna Horn - your storage unit #6 will be foreclosed upon un- less full payment is made. NOTICE OF LIEN SALE JULY 29, 2022 • 10AM Personal property of: #55 - Jermaine Thomas #83 - Gilbert Danford S&K Storage 503 SW 8th Pendleton, OR 97801 541-276-4587 NOTICE OF SALE Highland Mini Storage 1330 W Highland Ave Hermiston, OR 97838 541-567-1112 Contents of: Unit 433 - Flavia C Feliciano will be sold to the highest bid- der. Sale to take place on Tuesday, August 2, 2022 at 1:00pm at the facility. 401 Garage/Yard Sales Yard sale: Saturday, July 16. 9am- 4pm. Miscellaneous household/ shop items. 353 W Main St, Athena, OR. ENORMOUS 5 family yard sale/barnyard sale: Lots of old and new, too much to list! Powerline Rd., Hermiston. Friday & Satur- day, July 15 & 16, 7am-5pm. 79846 Powerline Rd, Her- miston, OR. CLASSIFIEDS IT’S WORTH IT! GET A CLASS AD! 502 Real Estate How Much is your Home Worth? Call Matt Vogler, The Weekend and After Hours Agent, for a free Market Analysis. 541.377.9470. More Listings needed to meet current buyer demand! Matt Vogler John J. Howard & Assoc. 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Marsha 541- 377-5152c. #22620931 Coldwell Banker Farley Company 541-276-0021 $799,000 3bed, 1bath custom built log home on 6acres. 2780sf(m/l) of living space, two levels. Metal roof. Numerous outbuildings for shops and storage. Jerry 541- 969-6378c. #21298074 Coldwell Banker Farley Company 541-276-0021 $199,000 Unique mountain property! Com- plete with an established well, new septic, power. Great property for someone looking to build their dream cabin. James 541-969-5156c. #22641674. Coldwell Banker Farley Company 541-276-0021 $395,000 McKay neighborhood! 3bed 2bath home on large flat lot. 2car garage is deep w/shop space. Close to parks/schools. Outdoor entertaining space. Jed 541-969- 2887c. #22450457 Coldwell Banker Farley Company 541-276-0021 $699,000 5bed 3bath with all the upper end finishes you dream about. Gran- ite, tile, 10’ basement ceilings, new interior paint, office, & gym. Kevin 541-969-8243c. #22194522. Coldwell Banker Farley Company 541-276-0021 $329,900 Located near McKay Park & school bus stop. 3bed, 3bath w/family room. Double garage, great yard. Perfect condition, ready for you! Vicki 541-969- 9441c. #22696529 Coldwell Banker Farley Company 541-276-0021 Choices with homes to suit you... Please call or text 541-377-6855. I can help you with your home search and questions. Reliable guidance and resource to facilitate your pur- chase or home sale. TURN HERE REALTY & TRAVEL 305 SW Court Ave., Pendleton 644 Business for Sale John Day River Guide Serv- ice for sale. (503)341-8892 651 Help Wanted The City of Stanfield is cur- rently accepting applications for the position of Finance and Administrative Services Di- rector. This is a full-time bene- fit eligible position. Salary range is $55,000-$65,000 DOE. Full job description, ap- plication, and instructions to apply are available online at http://cityofstanfield.com/em- ployment. First review of applications is July 27, 2022. FOR QUICK CASH Use a classified ad to sell items you no longer use. JM Eagle of Umatilla, Or. The world’s largest plastic pipe company is seeking a CLASS A CDL TRUCK DRIVER for our fast paced shipping department. Full time hours will vary daily Monday-Friday. Must have a current medical card and clean driving record. Hourly wage DOE, excellent benefits to start immediately after hire, paid holidays. $500 signing bonus based on NO ABSENCES, NO TARDI- NESS and NO DISCIPLINARY ACTION. New hires will receive $200 after 60 working days and $300 at the end of 6 months. Apply in person at 31240 Roxbury Rd, Umatilla, OR 97882 or send resume to: branditurner@jmeagle.com Classified Ads work hard for you! Local news matters to your family & friends Refer a friend to the East Oregonian Visit eastoregonian.com/refer EastOregonian.com