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April Ehrlich

@aprilehrlich.bsky.social
5.3K followers 808 following 175 posts

Environment reporter @opb.org in Portland, Oregon. Wildfires, forests, public lands, wildlife, pollution. She/her. aehrlich@opb.org Signal: aprilehrlich.10

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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
You can find the federal docs for the Wrights Spring Fire logging project here: usfs-public.app.box.com/s/0bktqwcjoe...
usfs-public.app.box.com
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The Trump admin is fast-tracking logging recently burned areas in Oregon. After this story, it announced another logging project: 16k acres in the Fremont-Winema with a 1-week deadline for public comment. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Forest Service proposes to fast-track logging Central Oregon wildfire area
The Trump administration is seeking to fast-track logging in forests recently burned by wildfires in a policy shift that’s starting with Central Oregon.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Data centers are consuming a quarter of Oregon’s power. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Oregon data centers by the numbers: 111 facilities consume nearly one-quarter of state’s power, according to new report
A first-of-its-kind report details the footprint of the controversial facilities.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
You might be right. This is something you're welcome to raise in the N3 Slack that you are in with us and various other N3 stations.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Actually, rereading this, I think that’s how KLCC meant to write it. Reading the study, researchers are saying spotted owls are beyond saving in some areas. It’s devastating news for conservationists who have tried to save this species for decades.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Hi John. This is an article shared by our news partners, KLCC in Eugene. I’ll raise this with them.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Northern spotted owls — the face of the "timber wars" of the 80s & 90s — are functionally extinct in many areas of the Pacific Northwest. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
New study finds northern spotted owls are ‘functionally extinct’ in some areas of the Pacific Northwest
Northern spotted owls have been on the endangered list since the 1990s. Researchers say that’s due to habitat loss from logging and invasive barred owls outcompeting them for prey and space.
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Reposted by April Ehrlich
OPB @opb.org · 03/09/2026
Oregon is one of seven states that uses prison labor to fight wildfires. Incarcerated firefighters make significantly less money than other firefighters but face the same safety risks. Still, it's among the most sought-after jobs in prison.
opb.org
Incarcerated people among thousands of firefighters battling Oregon’s aggressive fire season
While most firefighters make $25 an hour on the fire line, Oregon’s incarcerated firefighters earn $25 a day. During a 12-hour day, that amounts to about $2 an hour. They can also earn a monthly award based on their performance.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Incarcerated firefighters make much less money than other firefighters. Still, firefighting is among the most sought-after jobs in Oregon's prisons. "If you make anything miserable enough, people will choose to fight fire instead." www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Incarcerated people among thousands of firefighters battling Oregon’s aggressive fire season
Oregon is one of seven states that uses prison labor to fight wildfires. Incarcerated firefighters make significantly less money than other firefighters but face the same safety risks. Still, it's amo...
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KJ Shepherd @kjshepherd.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
there will be many ways to celebrate dolly parton and the one I want to point out is that she was a friend of Miss Piggy
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Murphy Woodhouse @murphywoodhouse.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
More wildfire reporting like this please. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
As blazes rage across Oregon, Mosier explores a proactive approach to fire
With wildfire season in full swing, the town of Mosier held a public meeting to explore whether the Indigenous practice of prescribed burning is right for their community.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
I decided to pop into a karaoke bar while in a college town for a work trip. Sang “You Outta Know.” One of the 20somethings said: “You sounded just like Gwen Stefani.”
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
Most of the PNW fires are burning in remote forests and grasslands that are naturally accustomed to fire, but these areas can be critical to ranchers whose livelihoods depend on their cattle. I joined one family as they tried to rope in their cows from public lands. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Oregon ranchers race to protect cattle from Grasshopper Fire
A longtime ranching family in north-central Oregon risks it all for their cattle as a wildfire heads toward them.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Another wildfire year where people don’t know where to find evacuation information because Oregon lacks a single cohesive place to find it. WatchDuty links to maps that crash. Local govts are relying on Facebook to share critical information.
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National Weather Service @nws.noaa.gov · 31/07/2026
Strong winds and low humidity will produce critical to extremely critical fire weather conditions from the Northwest into the northern Rockies on Saturday and Sunday. Use caution with any potential ignition sources. Stay aware and follow instructions from emergency officials. weather.gov for more.
NOAA Storm Prediction Center Fire Weather Outlook for Saturday, August 1, 2026, valid through 7:00 AM Sunday, August 2. An Extremely Critical fire weather area (magenta with hatching) is centered near Spokane, Washington, surrounded by a broader Critical area (red) covering parts of eastern Washington, northeastern Oregon, and the Idaho Panhandle. An Elevated fire weather area (orange) extends across much of Idaho, western Montana, northeastern Nevada, southeastern Oregon, and portions of northern California. The map highlights the Inland Northwest as the primary area of concern for rapid wildfire growth due to a combination of strong winds, low humidity, and dry fuels.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
So much of Oregon is on fire. More than 6,200 people under evacuation. About 12,000 firefighters are on the line. And it could get worse: We might get more thunderstorms on Thursday. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Live updates: Oregon wildfires explode with no signs of slowing down
People on the Warm Springs Reservation have evacuated, and other communities in Central and Eastern Oregon are threatened as more than 1 million acres in Oregon have been consumed by wildfires.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
The entire Warm Springs reservation is under evacuation. The highway connecting it to Madras opened this morning, though officials on social media warn that it could close again. More from my colleagues at OPB: opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Bench Fire explodes overnight, forcing Warm Springs to evacuate
The Bench Fire is one of several burning through Central Oregon, as hot and dry conditions continue to challenge fire crews.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
The entire Warm Springs reservation is under evacuation. The highway connecting it to Madras opened this morning, though officials on social media warn that it could close again. More from my colleagues at OPB: opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Bench Fire explodes overnight, forcing Warm Springs to evacuate
The Bench Fire is one of several burning through Central Oregon, as hot and dry conditions continue to challenge fire crews.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
The evacuation center as of this moment (the Old School Cafeteria) is itself under Level 3 evacuation. Still, that’s where emergency crews are telling people to go.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
The evacuation maps for the Warm Springs Reservation are linked in the police department’s Facebook page. They’re here: caltopo.com/m/JJL6U6K?fb...
caltopo.com
WSIR Evacuation Zones - CalTopo
User created map: WSIR Evacuation Zones, ID JJL6U6K, on CalTopo. Backcountry or your backyard; research, plan, share, and take maps with you on your mobile device. View real time data, choose layers t...
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
People are having trouble viewing evacuation maps and the Oregon Emergency Management’s website is glitching. This is what it shows when you click the evacuation map links in WatchDuty, the app that people widely use for fire info.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
Wildfires have closed the main highway between the Warm Springs Reservation and Madras, so people evacuating have to drive north toward Mt Hood. The nearest hotel is an hour away, and prices are around $350 a room.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Large data centers rely on dozens, sometimes hundreds, of industrial diesel generators for backup power. If an hour-long blackout hit the Lower Umatilla Basin in Oregon, data centers could release as much pollution as 38,000 semi-trucks driving for an hour. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Why data centers pose an outsized threat to Eastern Oregon’s air quality
Under an unstable grid, diesel pollution could threaten communities with large clusters of data centers.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
This is a reminder that the West is often filled with harmful, smoky air, but air quality doesn't make national headlines until it reaches the East Coast.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
As of this morning, Oregon wildfires covered 415,000 acres, already surpassing last year’s total acres burned. More than 1,000 people have had to evacuate. With thunderstorms & heatwaves on the horizon, wildfires could get worse this week. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Thunderstorms could bring more wildfires to Central Oregon
More than 1,000 people in Oregon have been ordered to evacuate their homes this week
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Ryan Haas @ryanjhaas.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
The latest story from @thewesternedge.bsky.social dives into the very gray space that exists in some spiritual communities, where one man is exalted as near god like and students are encouraged to not ask questions.
thewesternedge.media
‘Give Your Mind Over’: Power and Devotion Inside Oregon Buddhist Communities
Women inside some Northwest Buddhist centers say the faith has long struggled to stop predatory behavior by spiritual leaders, and in some cases brushed it aside.
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The Oregonian @oregonian.com · 22/06/2026
His colleagues, family, friends and sources remember Zane Sparling as a talented reporter with a flair for language and an offbeat sense of humor that kept the job light even on days the work — and his health — were bleak. Read more at theoregonian.visitlink.me/QxR5KI
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
The Trump administration aims to triple logging outputs in 5 million acres of the Blue Mountains area in Oregon & Washington. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Trump administration to propose tripling logging in Blue Mountains forests
The proposal could bring drastic changes to 5 million acres of forests and grasslands in northeastern Oregon and southeastern Washington.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
A bill that would have increased prescribed fire in federal forests was largely uncontroversial and supported across the aisle. Then Sen. Mike Lee of Utah attached an amendment that would rescind the roadless rule. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Senate Republicans propose rescinding ‘roadless rule’ — by tacking it onto federal wildfire bill
The roadless rule has long prevented new road construction in certain forests, including 4 million acres in Oregon and Washington.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 16/05/2026
Two years ago, OPB & ProPublica investigated a logging project in coastal Southern Oregon that included large, ancient trees. A federal judge just ruled that the Bureau of Land Management's project broke environmental laws. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Ruling halts logging project in Southern Oregon
The federal government planned to log forests in Southern Oregon that included large, old trees. A federal judge ruled that those plans broke environmental laws.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 25/04/2026
President Trump is allowing the military to flout water pollution laws so it can continue flying supersonic fighter jets in the Owyhee desert in Oregon, Idaho and Nevada. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
President Trump OKs supersonic jets over Owyhee desert — even if they pollute rivers
President Donald Trump is invoking an obscure law that allows the military to pollute waterways.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
The federal government accidentally killed two gray wolves during a coyote cull in Oregon, according to a state report. One was a collared wolf from California. More from my colleague Alejandro Figueroa: opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Federal agency accidentally killed 2 protected Oregon wolves last year, state report reveals
Wildlife Services, a program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture, accidentally killed two protected Oregon wolves last summer. Wildlife conservation groups are skeptical it was a mistake.
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NPR @npr.org · 31/03/2026
A U.S. District Court judge found that President Trump's executive ordering the defunding of NPR and PBS violated the First Amendment. n.pr/3PUBm6t
n.pr
Federal judge finds Trump violated free speech by ordering NPR defunded
A U.S. District Court judge found that President Trump's executive ordering the defunding of NPR and PBS violated the First Amendment.
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John Ryan @heyjohnryan.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Inbox: U.S. Forest Service moving its headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, Utah. Trump admin calls the move "common sense."
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Me? Bitter that I need to trade a road bike for a gravel bike in order to commute in this town? Not at all.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 16/03/2026
Don’t make fun of Portlanders for driving Subarus. They need them for the potholes and unimproved roads. 😔
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 19/02/2026
This is heartbreaking. Rogue Rock Gym is a community space for so many people in the Medford-Ashland area. It’s the only rock gym here — the nearest other gym is 3 hours away. rv-times.com/2026/02/17/r...
rv-times.com
Rogue Rock Gym in Medford announces sudden closure | Rogue Valley Times
Indoor climbing community reacts to announcement, rallies to find solutions to save the 21-year-old space; GoFundMe could help it reopen
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Me, on my death bed: "It was... literally... the funniest thing... I've ever said... and you... didn't... laugh... 🪦"
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
Like 10yrs ago I was telling my husband how much food to feed our cat, Sam: "He gets two cans — Because he's Two Can Sam 😀😀😀" & he didn't laugh & I'm bitter about it to this day.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
Snobs will be like “I prefer real butter” but they don’t know the joy of scooping out a mound of country crock out of a tub
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
A small part of Oregon's recycling system is on hold after a judge issued a preliminary injunction. The new system charges corporations for their product packaging. Today, more businesses called on lawmakers for a broader halt. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
More businesses demand pause on Oregon’s new recycling fees, following court decision
A small part of Oregon’s new statewide recycling system is on hold, after a judge issued an injunction in response to a lawsuit filed by product distributors.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
The 17-acre Leach Botanical Garden in far southeast Portland says it will close if it doesn't get more funding soon. The public park is owned by the city, but managed by a nonprofit. The city hasn't provided funding since last year. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Nonprofit says Portland’s Leach Botanical Garden will close in March without additional funding
The 17-acre public park in outer southeast Portland is part of a coalition that provides environmental education to Black and brown children and teenagers.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
But, not all hope is lost — Oregon's state climatologist says valley areas like Portland could see snow in the coming weeks. What matters most is how much snow we get between now and April. www.opb.org/article/2026...
opb.org
Oregon’s on track to break low snowpack records, but there’s still hope for snow
Oregon is experiencing its lowest snowpack for this time of year. But that could change, as mountain areas are expecting snowfall this weekend, and low-lying valleys might see snow later this month.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
The whole West is in a snow drought, but it's especially bad in Oregon.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
False spring or never winter?
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OPB @opb.org · 03/02/2026
Weekend protests in Portland against federal immigration actions were again met with thick clouds of tear gas outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office. Here's what to know about how the city is reacting to tear gas, ICE’s use of force and other factors tied to the facility.
opb.org
How Portland is using city policies to try and punish an ICE facility
Local officials are also looking toward a number of bureaucratic sanctions within their control to limit ICE’s actions against protesters.
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OPB @opb.org · 23/01/2026
Officials in The Dalles issued a public statement criticizing an OPB investigation into data centers, Google and water. Here are the facts underpinning that story, and why OPB stands by this reporting.
opb.org
The Dalles’ mayor called OPB’s data center story inaccurate. Here are the facts
Officials in The Dalles issued a public statement criticizing an OPB investigation into data centers, Google and water. Here are the facts underpinning that story, and why OPB stands by this reporting.
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
As someone has corrected me: pored*
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Thanks! Pored*
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April Ehrlich @aprilehrlich.bsky.social · 23/01/2026
Through our fact checking, we did find one mistake. I originally thought that residential water rates would increase by 7% by 2036. They’ll actually increase by 99%. That is not an error that The Dalles highlighted in my reporting.
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