Credit: CAL FIRE
Ultimate Goal is Public Safety and Protection from Wildfire
April 16, 2016 - CLOVIS, Calif. - Sierra National Forest officials on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 highlighted a forest health hazard tree abatement campaign in response to tree mortality in critically impacted areas. The ultimate goal of the campaign is to address the importance of public safety while reducing the spread of potential wildfires.
“On the Sierra National Forest we have seen large groups of pine mortality last year, occurring primarily within the ponderosa pine at 3,000-6,000 feet in elevation,” said Forest Supervisor Dean Gould. “Over the course of the last year, tree mortality spread to other areas, leaving the Sierra as the highest impacted National Forest.”
As part of the hazard tree abatement campaign, the Forest in coordination with its many cooperating agencies is removing dead trees, removing hazard trees from alongside roads, and creating fuel breaks to help resist the spread of fire.
Additionally, the Forest launched a public information effort to inform visitors about all aspects associated with tree mortality. This effort focuses on discussing hazard tree falling operations, advising those who travel or recreate on the Forest to always be on the lookout for dead trees that could fall, and that all visitors should comply with posted advisories.
“Our information effort includes posting signage at public access areas, web and social media messaging components, conducting public outreach events, providing media and congressional briefings, and communicating with our tribal partners, cooperators and the public,” said Gould.
The Forest is also providing a public scoping opportunity to help determine if there are any potential significant environmental impacts that could result from actions taken in response to tree mortality.
“Even in the absence of the conditions we are currently experiencing, and as beautiful as the Sierra is to visit, proper preparation and caution should be included with any visit,” said Gould. “’Look up, down, and all-around’ should definitely be the philosophy practiced when visiting the Forest, particularly now with the increased risk from dead and dying trees.”
Source: Sierra National Forest
