FAQs

1. How do insects and disease affect the health of the forest? As the forest ages, it becomes more susceptible to attack from insects and disease. Many diseases and insects are always present in the forest but when condition are right, there can be a wide spread outbreak and can kill thousands of trees. These outbreaks mar the visual landscape, reduce wildlife habitat, and result in lost revenue from forest products such as timber.
2. How much risk is there that insects and disease will destroy the forest? It is impossible to predict when or to what degree a major outbreak of insects and disease will occur. Many factors contribute to the level of risk. Climatic conditions, elevation, forest age and tree size are all factors. Prolonged drought can also weaken trees resistance to insect and disease attacks. Because of these variables, outbreaks generally occur in cycles. Because insects and diseases are an ever present and key component of a properly functioning forest, the Forest Service doesn't try to eliminate them. The Forest Service does use harvesting, and fire regularly as preventative tools to maintain the forest in a healthy and insect disease resistant condition.
3. What is a Sensitive Species? A sensitive species is a plant, bird, mammal, reptile/amphibian, fish or invertebrate (beetle, snails etc.) designated by the Regional Forester whose population viability is a concern on national forests within that region; whose current population and or habitats have been reduced/restricted; those with populations and or habitats considered vulnerable to certain management activities; or those requiring a special emphasis to ensure that they do not move towards listing as threatened or endangered.
4. Where can I find information on the trees of the forest? Your local library may have books on the native trees in the area. You might look for a Western Forest and Deserts by Audubon, Trees to Know in Oregon, Common Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Just to name a few.
5. I have a problem or question about a tree on my property. Can someone help me? For help with a problem on private lands you need to contact Oregon State Department of Forestry in John Day, 541-575-1139.
6. How do I get rid of nuisance critters? To get rid of pesky deer, squirrel, skunks, raccoons, and others you need to contact the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 305 N. Canyon Blvd., Canyon City, OR 97820, 541-575-1167 or Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, 237 Hines Blvd., Hines, OR 97738, 541-573-6582 for information on removal.

1. How can I report road or trail conditions? Report road or trail conditions to either a ranger district office, supervisor's office or any forest service personnel that you might encounter. Leave a note on your way home or drop it in the mail. Please include the road or trail name and number if available, the condition, its approximate location, and the date observed. Photos are always good.
2. Why are some roads closed to motorized use? Some roads are closed to motorized use to minimize disturbance to wildlife, reduce damage to roads, and to minimize erosion. Closures and restriction occur in various forms. You may see locked gates, boulders, high berms or signs depending on the type of closure. Most of these closures only restrict motorized travel, which means the road is still open to hiking and horse back riding.

1. Can I have a dogs in the campgrounds? Yes, however they must be on a leash at all times. Please do not take a vicious or unusually noisy animal camping with you. Also with native animals out at night you might want to keep your animal in your camping vehicle so as not to disturb the other campers with its barking. Remember within developed campgrounds, dogs are not allowed in the lakes or rivers for swimming unless it is a seeing or hearing impaired dog.
2. Can I have a dogs on forest trails? In most areas the answer is yes, however they should be under your control at all times.
3. Can I have my dog with me when renting a recreational rental? Yes, however you are responsible for ensuring that no damage occurs and all waste is properly disposed of.

Members of the public who want to fly UAS on National Forest System lands for fun or recreation must meet Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements (link is external).

Members of the public may fly UAS for hobby or recreation in many places on National Forest System lands. However, there are areas on National Forest System lands where UAS can’t be flown as mandated by Federal law and in accordance with FAA guidelines.

By law, the areas where UAS can’t be operated from include Wilderness Areas and areas with Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) in place, such as wildfires. The areas where they shouldn’t be flown in accordance with FAA safety and Forest Service applicable Federal agency guidelines include:

• Developed sites, to include campgrounds, trailheads, marinas, resorts, and ski areas.
• Forest Service helibases, airtanker bases, and other aircraft facilities including backcountry airstrips
• Areas where aircraft are performing wildfire suppression or other natural resource management missions, such as aerial surveys for forest health protection
• Flights over or near wildlife including sensitive, threatened and endangered species. This can create stress that may cause significant harm and even death.
• Areas closed to any and all entry under 36 CFR 261.53 – Special Closures

The U.S. Forest Service strongly encourages members of the public who want to fly UAS on National Forest System lands for hobby or recreational purposes to follow FAA safety guidelines (link is external) which include:

• Fly at or below 400 feet
• Keep your UAS within sight
• Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports
• Never fly over groups of people
• Never fly over stadiums or sports events
• Never fly near emergency response efforts such as fires
• Never fly under the influence
• Be aware of airspace requirements

The U.S. Forest Service has developed “Tips for Responsible Use” that provide additional guidance on where to fly, and where not to fly, UAS on National Forest System lands.

The U.S. Forest Service strongly encourages members of the public to contact the Ranger District office, or the local FAA office, in the area of the National Forest System lands where they want to fly a UAS for fun or recreation ahead of time to see if any agency flights are scheduled.

The U.S. Forest Service flies aircraft for thousands of hours over millions of acres of National Forest System and other lands each year to perform a variety of natural resource management missions, such as forest insect and disease surveys, aerial image and data acquisition, and aerial spraying to control or eradicate major forest pests. Some flights occur less than 150 feet above ground level, which creates a high potential for a mid-air collision with an UAS flown by a member of the public.

Members of the public can also check FAA websites to see if U.S. Forest Service flights are scheduled by going to NOTAM (link is external), PilotWeb  (link is external)or Temporary Flight Restrictions. (link is external)

How can I get firewood for my home? See Permits. You will need to purchase a permit at local Forest Service offices. You will be given a synopsis that will show you the places where you can cut fire wood.  During the summer firewood cutting maybe limited due to fire conditions. Firewood cutting on the Malheur National Forest is regulated by the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) System.  A maximum purchase of 16 cords total from Malheur National Forest lands is allowed during the calendar year. Please purchase only the amount that you can haul out during woodcutting season because these permits are non-refundable.

How do I get firewood for my campground fire? Firewood for campfires is not usually provided at campgrounds, however you are welcome to gather dead wood for this use without a permit. On the National Forest, cutting standing dead trees is allowed in certain areas, however firewood may not be transported off the Forest without a firewood permit. We ask that you only gather a reasonable amount of campfire wood for the length of your stay. The supply of campfire material will be better away from the campground. By gathering dead wood in other areas you are also helping to protect the natural appearance of the environment that makes our campsites so appealing.

The questions people ask the most can be found here listed by category, or links are provided to more detailed information.

1. What is the difference between the Forest Service, National Parks, and State Parks?

• The Forest Service is part of the US Department of Agriculture and manages the national forests and grasslands, forestry research and cooperation with forest managers on State and Private Lands. The Forest Service is dedicated to multiple-use management for the sustained yield of renewable resources such as water, forage, wildlife, wood and recreation. Multiple-use means managing resources under the best combination of uses to benefit the American people while ensuring the productivity of the land and protecting the quality of the environment. Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the Forest Service, summed up the mission of the Forest Service - "to provide the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people in the long run."
• The National Park Service is part of the US Department of Interior and focuses on preservation. They preserve, unimpaired, the natural and cultural resources and values of the national park system for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation.
• State Parks are similar to National Parks but are managed on state level and can have fewer restrictions.

2. When and why was the Forest Service established?

• Congress established the Forest Service in 1905 to provide quality water and timber for the Nation's benefit. Over the years, the public has expanded the list of what they want from national forest and grasslands. Congress responded by directing the Forest Service to manage national forest for additional multiple uses and benefits for the sustained yield of renewable resources such as water, forage, wildlife, wood, and recreation. Multiple use means managing resources under the best combination of uses to benefit the American people while ensuring the productivity of the land and protecting the quality of the environment.
• National forests are America's Great Outdoors. They encompass 191 million acres of land, which is an area equivalent to the size of Texas. National Forests provide opportunities for recreation in open spaces and natural environments. With more and more people living in urban areas national forest are becoming more important and valuable to Americans. People enjoy a wide variety of activities on national forest, including backpacking in remote, unroaded wilderness areas, mastering an all-terrain vehicle over a challenging trail, enjoying the views along a scenic byway, or fishing a great trout stream, to mention just a few.

3. How are the Forest Service offices organized? There are four levels of national forest offices:

• National Level: This is commonly called the Washington Office. The person who oversees the entire forest service is called the chief. The chief is a federal employee who reports to the Under Secretary of Natural Resources and Environment in the US Department of Agriculture. The Chief's staff provides a broad policy and direction for the agency, works with the President's Administration to develop a budget to submit to Congress, provides information to Congress on accomplishments and monitors activities of the agency.
• Regional Level: There are 9 regions, numbered 1-10 (Region 7 was eliminated some years ago). The regions are broad geographic areas usually including several states. The person in charge is called the regional forester. Forest supervisors of the national forests within a region report to the regional forester. The regional office staff coordinated activities between national forest, monitors activities on national forest to ensure quality operations, provides guidance for forest plans, and allocates budgets to the forests.
• National Forest: There are 155 national forest and 20 grasslands. Each forest is composed of several ranger districts. The person in charge of a national forest is called the forest supervisor. The district rangers from the districts within the forest work for the forest supervisor. The headquarters of the national forest is called the supervisor's office. This level coordinates activities between districts, allocates the budget, and provides technical support to each district.
• Ranger District: The district ranger and their staff may be your first point of contact with the forest service. There are more than 600 ranger districts . Each district has a staff of 10 to 100 people. The districts vary in size form 50,000 acres to more than 1 million acres. Many on-the-ground activities occur on the ranger districts, including trail construction and maintenance, operation of campgrounds, and management of vegetation and wildlife habitat.