Laycock Creek Firewise fuel reduction project underway
By Logan Bagett on Wednesday, May 8th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY – The Malheur National Forest has released information on a current hazardous fuels reduction project underway, as well as a list of frequently asked questions and answers.
Find the Forest Service release below:
(Released by the the Malheur National Forest)
The Laycock Creek Firewise Project was signed in June of 2021 and the intent of the project is to reduce hazardous fuels directly adjacent to the Upper Laycock Creek Road Firewise community. This reduction of hazardous fuels will be accomplished via commercial and non-commercial thinning, juniper encroachment treatments, and prescribed burning. Additionally, these treatments are anticipated to reduce the risk of insect infestation that is intended to maximize the retention of large and old-growth trees. In turn, this will likely improve forest resiliency and increase wildlife habitat and forage.
Non-commercial treatments in Laycock West are currently underway while noncommercial treatments in Laycock Hanscombe and commercial treatments in the Laycock Timber Sale are anticipated to start this summer. Specifically, Laycock West and Laycock Hanscombe noncommercial treatments include thinning and lop or handpiling. Noncommercial treatments will be completed by December 2025
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: When will there be noise from chainsaws or equipment?
A: Chainsaws or equipment will be running Monday-Friday and generally start early in the morning (likely before 7am). Crews will operate, weather permitting, until all treatments are complete. Equipment will move in when the timber sale is started (currently TBD but likely summer 2024).
Q: Will all the treatments be and look the same?
A: Not all areas have the same treatment and thus will look different post-treatment. Areas designated as the timber sale will have material removed to reduce fuels while the noncommercial treatment areas will have fuels rearranged to reduce continuous fuels across a larger area.
Q: Will everything be piled?
A: Not all areas will be piled. Areas with higher amounts of fuel after thinning will be piled but areas with lower amounts of fuel will not be.
Q: What will happen to the piles?
A: Piles will be burned by Forest Service personnel the fall after the completion of work, which will give piles a chance to dry out enough to burn effectively.
