Thousands of homes were destroyed by the 2020 Labor Day wildfires. (Oregon Department of Transportation/Flickr)
The scars left by severe wildfires across Oregon’s forests are not only a reminder of nature’s power but also of the critical need for immediate and decisive action to prevent future disasters.
Dead and dying trees — referred to as snags — pose severe risks to public safety, firefighter effectiveness and long-term forest health. Yet, contrary to claims, post-fire removal of dead and dying trees on state and federal lands is minimal, hindered by relentless litigation that threatens lives, compromises recovery efforts and delays the natural regrowth of our treasured forests.
The 2020 Labor Day wildfires burned more than 1 million acres across Oregon, leaving vast expanses of dead timber in their wake. In federally managed lands alone, approximately 280,000 acres burned at moderate to high severity. Shockingly, less than 3% of these burned areas received treatment to remove snags and mitigate future risks. It doesn’t take much effort to find thousands of dead trees in impacted areas like the Santiam Canyon.
Such inaction is not due to lack of need or awareness but because environmental litigation has tied the hands of federal agencies. The result is a landscape riddled with hazardous snags that jeopardize firefighters’ ability to access and control future wildfires. We are also losing access to our public lands. Many forest roads damaged by the 2020 wildfires remain closed and will probably never re-open.
Snags are far from benign. They fall unpredictably, endangering those working in or passing through these areas. When ignited, these dead trees burn intensely, creating spot fires and releasing embers that exacerbate the spread of wildfires. As they decay, snags create dense brush fields — a dangerous cocktail of highly flammable fuels.
Some models suggest these risks can persist for decades if proactive management is not implemented. The unmanaged Kalmiopsis Wilderness in southwest Oregon serves as a grim example, with reburns growing larger and hotter with each successive fire.
The presence of snags along roadsides amplifies these dangers. Roadside hazard trees not only obstruct safe public access but also limit the ability of first responders and firefighters to perform their duties. Fire suppression strategies are often compromised in areas with significant snag hazards, as safety concerns prevent direct attack approaches.
While federal agencies struggle with litigation, private landowners in Oregon demonstrated what effective post-fire management looks like. Many acted swiftly after the 2020 wildfires to remove dead and dying trees, ensuring their lands remain accessible and ready for reforestation.
Such actions not only protect these lands from future fires but also support local economies by providing usable timber for construction and funding for replanting efforts. In stark contrast, federally managed lands are left choked with snags, setting the stage for even more destructive fires.
Forests will burn but then logging them right after delays recovery
Proponents of leaving snags untouched argue for “natural recovery.” However, this hands-off approach overlooks the compounding risks these snags pose. The potential for catastrophic reburns, loss of wildlife habitats and prolonged degradation of public lands far outweighs any perceived ecological benefit. Indeed, the loss of northern spotted owl habitats due to the 2020 fires vastly exceeded the impact of 12 years of timber harvesting under the Northwest Forest Plan. Failing to act now will ensure these lands remain a tinderbox for decades, perpetuating cycles of destruction.
Oregon’s forests need a path forward, one that prioritizes public safety, ecological recovery and economic sustainability. Removing dead and dying trees is an essential first step. Salvaged timber can be processed into long-lived wood products that store carbon while generating revenue for reforestation. Hazard tree removal along roadsides will reopen public lands, ensuring safe access for recreation, management and emergency response. Most importantly, proactive management will create safer conditions for firefighters tasked with protecting our communities from future wildfires.
In the future, federal and state agencies need to be empowered to implement post-fire treatments without the threat of litigation stalling their efforts. By supporting post-fire salvage operations, we can ensure our forests recover more quickly, safely and sustainably. This is not just about restoring the land — it is about protecting lives, preserving our natural heritage and preventing the next catastrophic fire.