Replanting In Central Oregon

The State of Oregon is helping the federal government replant a forest after a wildfire.   

Under Good Neighbor Authority, the U.S. Forest Service pays Oregon to help replant trees.  The Crazy Creek fire burned nearly 87,000 acres in the Ochoco National Forest, outside Prineville.  Lane Osborn, with the Oregon Department of Forestry, says they planted 74,000 ponderosa pine seedlings.

"We went out there and basically planted trees and put in all the necessary protection around those trees while they're young to protect them from deer and elk and things like that just to give them the best chance of living," Osborn said.

He noted they can only do it in a short window of time when the weather is right.  Osborn said contractors get it done.

"These contractors, they really are impressive and they're able to work very fast and do good work," Osborn said.  "Without them, there's no way we'd be able to accomplish what we accomplish on a yearly basis."

This is the first time the Good Neighbor Authority has been used on a federal forest in Oregon.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com