U.S. officials have unveiled plans to boost logging on federal lands in Oregon, Washington and California to reduce wildfire risks, support rural economies and adapt forest management to climate change.
In short:
- The U.S. Forest Service proposes revising the Northwest Forest Plan to allow more logging, potentially increasing timber harvests by 33% to 200%.
- The proposal aims to cut wildfire risks by thinning younger trees, promoting fire-resistant old-growth forests and increasing timber-related jobs.
- The plan includes enhanced collaboration with Native American tribes and a 120-day public comment period before final decisions in 2026.
Key quote:
“It appears that the Forest Service wants to abandon the fundamental purpose of the Northwest Forest Plan–protecting fish and wildlife and the mature and old-growth forests they need to survive.”
— John Persell, an attorney for Oregon Wild.
Why this matters:
With climate change intensifying wildfires, forest management strategies are shifting to balance ecological protection with economic needs. However, the proposal raises concerns about its impact on old-growth ecosystems critical for wildlife and carbon storage.
Related: Wildfires make it harder for forests to regrow as replanting faces major hurdles
