BEND, Ore. — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) announced plans to temporarily close 40 acres of public land in the Juniper Ridge area between Bend and Redmond, citing significant public health, safety, and environmental concerns. The closure will take effect on June 1 and will remain in place until further notice.

The affected area, located on both sides of U.S. Highway 97 and commonly referred to by locals as “Dirt World,” has been the site of unauthorized camping in recent years. According to BLM officials, the cumulative impacts of prolonged human presence have severely damaged the land and created hazards for both people and wildlife.

“This area wasn’t designed for long-term use,” said Lisa Clark, Deschutes Field Manager for the BLM. “Over the years, we’ve seen accumulation of trash and human waste, the creation of unauthorized routes, fence damage, and loss of native vegetation. These impacts pose risks to both people and the land.”

Clark confirmed that although six or seven people were recently living on the land, all have since been relocated in cooperation with the City of Bend and Deschutes County. The individuals were moved to an area within Juniper Ridge that is outside of BLM-managed land.

With the closure in place, public access to the 40-acre parcel will be strictly prohibited. BLM staff will begin assessing the extent of the environmental degradation and develop a plan for site repairs and restoration. A date for reopening has not yet been determined.

A map outlining the closure area is available on the Bureau of Land Management’s official website. The agency is encouraging the public to respect the closure and avoid the area for safety and environmental recovery reasons.

The Juniper Ridge closure is the latest in a series of actions by local and federal agencies aimed at addressing the challenges of homelessness and its impacts on public lands in Central Oregon.