On November 16, Forest Defenders in Humboldt County took to the trees on forestland owned by Sierra Pacific Industries (SPI), California's most massive clear cutter and largest landowner. They are defending old growth and mature trees on a timber plan very close to where they have been defending forests on Humboldt Redwood Company land. The site is deep in the forest, and the activists are risking arrest to call attention to corporate logging of large, fire-resistant trees, damage to water quality, and other destructive environmental impacts.

When asked why they are taking direct action against SPI, a bold forest defender who goes by the moniker of Oats replied, "The smoke from the devastating Camp Fire fills the air here, providing a constant reminder that lives are on the line. The health of these fire resistant forests is crucial to protecting the health of our planet both locally and globally. This type of timber extraction leaves the forest slashed, dried out and very fire prone."

Read More | Continued Occupation Shuts Down SPI Clearcut Logging Operation

See Also: Week of Action for Mattole Forest Kicks Off with Monday Rally | Log Truck Rams Through Protesters at Mattole Forest Rally at Scotia Log Mill

Related Feature: Direct Action to Save Old Growth Forest Continues Despite Raid