Saxton Blasts Kulongoski on Forest Management in Wake of Black Crater Fire

Saxton Blasts Kulongoski on Forest Management in Wake of Black Crater Fire.

Photo of Saxton courtesy: vonski.com

(SISTERS) - As the Black Crater Fire grows to nearly 9,000 acres and threatens to evacuate the entire town of Sisters, Ron Saxton Friday visited the affected areas and questioned Governor Ted Kulongoski’s opposition to sound forest management.

According to the State Department of Forestry there have been 560 forest fires in Oregon already in 2006.

“Oregon’s Governor needs to get serious about forest management,” Saxton said. “Not only has Oregon seen more than 500 forest fires this year, but we’ve witnessed destructive fires every summer during the Governor’s term. It’s time to take action and work with Oregon’s natural resource community to reduce our state’s fire hazard.”

“The Black Crater fire is a call to action. Oregon’s forests are being mismanaged and neglected and this puts entire communities in danger,” Saxton said.

“Ted Kulongoski is fighting the Healthy Forest Restoration Act. He opposes federal legislation that allows for the removal of dead and dying trees. And the Governor has stood in the way of forest thinning even when it can be done without harming wilderness areas. It is time for change.”

Saxton said as Governor, he’ll maintain Oregon’s proud tradition of conservation by working with the federal government, local forest managers, private landowners, researchers and scientists to promote healthy forests and protect against fires.

“Because politics as usual – puts even more Oregonians at risk” Saxton said.