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Windthrown pine on barracks, Lassen NF. By Hat Creek Work Station.
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A major blowdown event occurred on the Lassen National Forest (LNF) in Lassen and Shasta Counties on February 6th, taking down trees across an estimated 200,000 acres. High southerly winds affected low-lying areas with sustained speeds of 50 to 65 mph for over 12 hours. Most of the blowdown occurred on the eastside of LNF in ponderosa, Jeffrey, and lodgepole pine stands where primarily larger diameter trees (>18" dbh) were uprooted or snapped off. Many trees that managed to stay upright were "root sprung" (roots were pulled away from the soil and rock in which they were embedded) or suffered other structural damage that has left them leaning or bent over. Most of the affected area sustained losses of about one large tree per acre, but some stands lost up to 20 large trees per acre. High concentrations of blowdown were found along edges of openings such as meadows and sagebrush flats and within recently thinned areas where residual trees lacked wind-firmness. No injuries or fatalities were reported, but wind-thrown trees did hit several structures, power and phone lines, and closed portions of CA State Highways 44 and 89 between Susanville, Old Station, and Hat Creek.
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Windthrown lodgepole pine along Highway 44, Lassen NF.
By D. Cluck, USFS. |
While smaller blowdown events have occurred in this region, an event covering this much area has not been recorded. Lassen National Forest personnel are currently working on removing downed trees and standing hazard trees from recreation and administrative sites as well as along highways and county roads. Once finished, work will focus on making major forest roads accessible and preparing the most impacted areas for timber sales to remove downed material. |
