Vandals hit forest operation

Vandals stole tools and shot holes in equipment last weekend at the site of a local forest project.

Dave Elpi of Sisters Forest Products told The Nugget that sometime during the weekend vandals stole tools and shot up his log skidder in the forest northeast of Sisters.

For the past four years, Elpi has been working on the Bend Municipal Watershed project, helping to create a fire break in the popular recreation area running between Three Creek Lake and Todd Lake. The project is supposed to help keep firefighters safe in the event of a wildfire in the area.

Elpi noted that "there are hundreds of people through here on weekends" during the summer.

The vandalism was a blow to the long-time forester.

"Obviously, I'm sick to my stomach," he said.

Elpi is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the vandals responsible for the damage to his equipment. To provide information, contact the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office at 541-388-6655. Elpi may be contacted at [email protected]