NE Washington forests diseased, infested

WENATCHEE — Large areas of forests in northeast Washington are in danger of catastrophic wildfires because trees have been killed or weakened by bug infestations, the state Department of Natural Resources warns.

Landowners should thin the trees or harvest timber to restore more normal forest conditions, Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark said in an Aug. 23 forest health hazard warning to landowners in portions of Okanogan, Ferry, Klickitat and Yakima counties.

It is the first forest health hazard warning since the Legislature authorized the action in 2007 as a means for addressing insect and disease infestations, The Wenatchee World reported Friday.

A century of fire suppression has led dense forests of Douglas fir to replace forests once dominated by insect-resistant Ponderosa pines. Dense forests stress individual trees, leaving them vulnerable to western spruce budworm and pine bark beetles.

Under the warning, notification letters went out to 6,500 private landowners offering help from the Department of Natural Resources. Professional foresters may help assess the risks, set goals and recommend harvesting or thinning tree stands.

Of more than 1 million acres now under warning status, the vast majority is public land. That includes nearly 675,000 acres are national forests, almost 20,000 acres managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, about 180,000 acres of state DNR trust land, and almost 11,000 acres of other public property. Privately held land includes about 173,500 acres of small forested family-owned properties and over 31,000 acres of company-owned or industrial forestland.

Without action, about 2.8 million acres of forest land — about one-third of eastern Washington’s forests — will see significantly more trees killed by insects or disease over the next 15 years, the department estimated.

Participation is voluntary.

“We can’t say the word ‘voluntary’ often enough,” said Washington State Forester Aaron Everett, who chaired the forest health technical advisory committee. He said some people who receive a letter may have few bug problems, but for those with major infestations, “We’re here to help.”

Funding of $4.3 million from a state jobs bill is available.

Historically, in the areas now under a warning, about 347,800 acres were forested with more mature, open forests, and today there are only about 88,200 acres of these more open Ponderosa stands, Everett said.

Ironically, past firefighting has increased the risk of catastrophic fires. Forests are denser with more trees competing for water and becoming bug-infested.

“I can’t say it too much: Thin them,” said Connie Mehmel, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest entomologist and a member of the committee,

“The purpose of the forest health warning is really to prevent further damage,” Mehmel said, adding, “It’s not that there isn’t work to do almost everywhere. There is. But resources are limited. As a group, we had to pick out the areas where maybe we could get ahead of the game a little, instead of trying to chase the problem.”

To learn more, go to www.dnr.wa.gov/foresthealth.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.