Sisters Ranger Station - Deschutes National Forest — Attraction in Sisters

Management and personnel here have lost the trust of the community from which the ranger district takes its name. Time and again, a combination of short-sighted decision-making and self-serving inaction have rendered the forests surrounding Sisters a dangerous wild card in the lives of all who strive to call this place home. Were it different, the forest service would establish a safety zone surrounding the city, a buffer of some meaningful size, and not merely a theatrical display, off-tangent and with little basis in forest science. It would enforce this safety zone using the power it possesses already, taking cues from other districts that have successfully implemented such policies, tagging personal property on our public lands that violate established 14 day stay law and ultimately removing it if non-compliant. Enforcing actual laws in the name of preserving life and property is not a provocative or heartless act, nor is the forest service powerless to do it. To the contrary they must, and the lives and structures saved in the process will ultimately be those of the entire community, including those untethered to a traditional mode...

We have been in the forests west of Sisters frequently for more 50 years, picking send cones , hunting, hiking camping and packing. We have witnessed the degradation of the forests,roads, and trails to the point it makes me cry. If you want to see what I mean go up 242 through the facade of beautiful forest to forest rd. 1028 and drive through to Cash Mountain Toll station then take a left on the 500 road to Big Lake. When you get to the Hortence to Dry Creek trail (which is no longer there) you will see the signs telling you you need a wilderness permit. ( for what ) then enjoy the trip to Big lake. If you never saw that burned out country before all the mismanagement you missed seeing really...

I stopped in for the first time a couple weeks ago to inquire about their hiring for the coming summer season. The lady at the front desk was very rude and extremely unhelpful. She did not seem to grasp the question I was asking, and did not try to offer any suggestions to help me get the answers to my questions. I've worked for the Forest Service for 4 seasons, and she treated me like a dumb public citizen that didn't...