Rim fire's 'ghost' trees to be logged, U.S. Forest Service decides
By Diana Marcum
August 27, 2014

The debate began as the largest blaze ever seen in the Sierra still burned: Should officials cut down the thousands of "ghost" trees left behind by last summer's Rim fire, or leave nature alone?

A decision announced Wednesday by the U.S. Forest Service calls for salvage-logging on more than 15,000 acres in the Stanislaus National Forest and the removal of an additional 17,706 acres of trees along non-public roads.

Because the logging value of burned trees deteriorates quickly, the plan was formed under emergency rules and cannot be appealed. Salvaging can begin as soon as forest supervisor Susan Skalski gives her approval, which is expected Thursday.

"The chain saws can start like one minute later," said Chad Hanson, director of the John Muir Project of Earth Island Institute.



http://www.latimes.com/science/la-me-rim-fire-trees-20140828-story.html



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/27/2014 08:51PM by KenS.