Hazard trees to be cut in fire areas

Roads in the Metolius Basin that were burned over by the B&B Complex Fires will be opened as the Forest Service can remove hazard trees. Some of these roads access popular camps and recreation areas.

Even then, the public will have to be aware that burned trees can fall and pose a hazard.

According to Kris Martinson, Community Relations Team Leader with the U.S. Forest Service in Sisters, there are about 300 miles of roads in total that are affected. The agency is first focusing on about 120 miles of the most traveled roads.

"We are trying to get through a planning and analysis process so we can remove hazard trees along high priority roads affected by the fires ... Some are covered under the Highway Safety Act. Others access recreation sites, trailheads, campgrounds, private land or special use areas," Martinson said.

"We are in the process of that analysis ... We have received some challenges about what we consider a hazard tree," Martinson said.

Once such challenge came from the Oregon Natural Resources Council.

"There is concern that our interest is in getting (trees) for the market. In this case, if we can dispose of some the hazard trees to the market, that is a secondary benefit, but we are trying to open up roads to the public," Martinson said.

No one answered the phone at the ONRC office in Bend on Monday.

Martinson said the target date for completing the analysis on tree removal is the end of March. The Forest Service intends to mark some trees that would be removed under the program, and invite the public to look at what is being considered.

For more information or to be included on a tour, contact Marcy Boehmy with the Forest Service in Bend at 383-5572.

As soon as the agency has completed the analysis, the work on removing hazard trees "will follow the snow. It will be weather dependent on removing the trees," said Martinson. "If we can get right on it, we have a target of May through June."

Less-traveled roads will also be reviewed. Some of those will have hazard trees removed.

On others, notification will be posted "that you are traveling through a burned area and those trees might come down," Martinson said.

"We recognize that there will always be hazards in the forest, but we want to be responsible," she said.

In particularly dangerous areas, there may be some places where roads remain closed, she noted.

Aside from the roads, campers and hikers and horseback riders are advised to be careful, but they are on their own, Martinson said.

"Use common sense and look around. Don't pitch a tent under a burned tree."

Another goal is to have popular camping spots, such as the Meadow Lakes area, open by spring break, but not for off-road vehicle use.

Vehicle closure in some areas could continue for a couple of years.

The wilderness is completely open, though the roads to trailheads are not cleared yet from Camp Sherman.

"In the wilderness, you accept more responsibility for your own safety," Martinson said.