Each year, we head into the forests of Warm Springs, at the foothill of Mt. Hood and Mt. Jefferson, stepping over fallen branches, breathing in the scent of pine as we gather wood for our families to use in wood-burning fireplaces that make up much of the household heating in the Warm Springs community. We fell a tree, cut it into rounds and drive it back to cut it into firewood and kindling. Stacking the firewood in rows and rows in the shed, lining it up next to the front door for ease of access, laying kindling in the bin.

Wood is an integral part of our upbringing, and our forests are an intrinsic part of our world.

We intend to honor the legacy of our ancestors and family for sustainable wood practices and forest stewardship.

As wildfires in our area worsens, forest management is more important than ever. We cut down small trees which supports forest health, utilize wood-waste from wildfires, remove invasive species such as western juniper for wood products and pay tribal members for wood procured through Tribal wood permitting process.

By purchasing wood from us, you are purchasing directly from Tribal members and supporting ecosystems restoration.

Rosa Frutos

Co-owner of Thunder Wood Products, LLC is a Warm Springs Tribal member. She is the daughter of Angie Sorrelhorse, and granddaughter of Shirley and Robert Sanders. Rosa has her Masters degree in Social Work with a career spanning Indigenous research, Tribal public health, and project management within an academic medical center.

Joshua Smith

Co-owner of Thunder Wood Products, LLC and Warm Springs descendent. He is the son of Buffy Hurtado and grandson of Anna and Butch Hurtado. Joshua has a Masters in Public Health with training as a statistician and a long career in Tribal public health doing program evaluation, health data communications and statistical analyses.

Pictured with Josh and Rosa is our most ambitious wood helper, Josh’s little brother Thunder Hurtado, whom our business is named after.