PORTLAND, Ore. — Just across the Sandy River from Troutdale, north of Interstate 84, an expanse of grassy meadows gives way to pockets of wilderness, crisscrossed with gravel and dirt trails. The Sandy River Delta — or Thousand Acres, as this protected natural area is often called — is accessible for public recreation.
But hidden in the woods of the delta are dozens of homeless camps, even veritable shantytowns, populated by refugees of Portland metro street life.
For firefighters, these camps are increasingly a problem. When a fire starts at one of them, it’s difficult for crews to access — and that’s just taking into account the terrain and the limited roadways. In some cases, fire crews are also dealing with inhabitants actively working to keep them out…