When the U.S. government shut down for the first half of October, activity on
the Mount Hood National Forest came to a near standstill. However, some
essential functions of the U.S. Forest Service continued, including law
enforcement, which proved useful with an increase in some illegal activities in
the forest.

According to Laura Pramuk, public affairs officer for the MHNF, law
enforcement officials issued more than 24 citations for wood theft during the
shutdown for people stealing firewood, an increase of 1,000 percent. In
addition, vandals damaged water lines and sprayed graffiti at Bagby Hot
Springs, while thieves stole a propane tank from the Clackamas Lake guard
station. Pramuk also reported incidents involving hotwiring of logging
equipment and excavators, including one in which timber was stolen, and a
break-in attempt at the MHNF supervisor’s office in Sandy that did not involve
any arrests.

“The Forest LEOs did a commendable job under extreme pressure during the
furlough,” Pramuk added. “They worked extra hours and probably prevented
additional damage to forest resources and infrastructure through their
efforts.”

In addition, Pramuk noted there are two criminal investigations underway
surrounding incidents in the MHNF during the shutdown, but was unable to
comment on them.

“It was kind of a crazy time for law enforcement officers,” said Pramuk, noting
many people receiving citations believed there would be no law enforcement
officials in the forest during the shutdown.

The shutdown also lead to the delay of some environmental analysis and
permitting, including a film crew and the construction of a communications
tower near Timberline Lodge that will assist a variety of public agencies.
Crews were able to finish pouring concrete by the end of October, thanks to
good weather.

“In another year, they wouldn’t be operating this time of year up there,” said
Mary Ellen Fitzgerald, part of the Special Uses Group for the MHNF.

Pramuk also noted that while fieldwork was suspended during the shutdown,
the stretch of good weather at the end of October helped get things back on
track.

“Everybody’s working really hard,” said Pramuk. “I don’t think anybody’s
going to notice anything.”