By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
Now that the 41-day standoff is over at the Oregon wildlife refuge, the FBI is sorting through evidence at the scene as the town of Burns is eager for life to return to normal.
The Malheur National Wildlife Refuge has turned into a crime scene at a time when land managers must prepare to open the 300-square-mile area that attracts hunters, birdwatchers and anglers, the Associated Press reports.
The FBI expects to spend the next several weeks collecting evidence and clearing the crime scene. After that, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will being cleaning the site to prepare for the busy summer season.
“People need to heal,” said Linda Gainer, owner of The Narrows restaurant and RV park, which is just a few miles from the refuge. “I didn’t have any people say, ‘I’ll never be your friend again.’ But we did have crappy emails. I’m hoping the birders come back.”
