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Managing your Hurricane Damaged Woods
As we approach the one year anniversary of Hurricane Helene, many landowners find themselves wondering how to safely and effectively manage their forests in the wake of such a devastating natural disaster.
Wind-thrown trees, erosion, economic loss, and safety are just a few concerns that our landowners are grappling with. The South Carolina Forestry Commission estimates statewide damages exceed $83 million in timber value alone. In the Upstate, Spartanburg and Pickens counties experienced the most severe damages with cleanup still ongoing.
Short Guide for damage management
How should forest managers and landowners proceed given the complex set of challenges they face? The Forestry Commission offers a guidance to landowners in their short guide released earlier this year.
Here are a few takeaways:
- Be cautious when navigating storm damaged woods as dead trees, broken branches, and root balls create hazardous terrain.
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Contact your local South Carolina Forestry Commission to schedule a site visit for damage assessments, guidance on salvage removal or replanting, and to get an updated forest management plan (FMP).
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Cost share assistance may be available to you through various USDA programs such as EQIP or their Emergency Forest Restoration Program.
Dealing with fuel load left behind
Perhaps one of the most concerning questions that land managers face in this post-Helene landscape is how to contend with the massive fuel load that was left in the hurricane's wake. Expansive blowdowns, heavy slash, and steep terrain pose serious risks for future wildfires and extreme fire behavior.
The Southern Fire Exchange, a regional wildland fire science communication program, offers thoughtful guidance and resources to those interested in understanding Hurricane Helene's impacts on prescribed fire and wildfire. As stated in their fact sheet on Fuels and Fire Management Considerations for Hurricane Damaged Areas, "Prescribed fire in catastrophic damage zones is inherently risky but can be an effective tool for fuel reduction if implemented strategically."
A few considerations for planning prescribed fire in forests damaged during Helene include:
- Careful planning is a must. Work with a forester to preemptively account for hazards such as increased fuel loads, difficult access, and required equipment to minimize risk to burners and the surrounding landscape.
- Minimize smoke by planning a burn on days where large fuel will retain moisture. Growing-season burns may offer optimal conditions to moderate intensity of prescribed burns.
- Mechanical treatment prior to conducting a burn can help prevent excess smoke and dangerous fire behavior.
- Wider fire breaks and smaller burn units may be necessary.
As scientists predict an increasing likelihood for heavy rains, strong winds, and dangerous wildfires, effective forest management may be the most important action land managers can take to minimize future damage to our forests.
Healthy forests are inherently more resilient to heavy storms, and healthy forests require active management. This means more prescribed burning, thoughtful timber harvests and thinning, invasive species management, and erosion mitigation. The good news is that there are many resources, funding opportunities, and technical assistance providers that are available to assist with this challenging work.
Lastly, please remember to refer to your conservation easement for restrictions and approval requirements for timber management activities!
Please reach out to Lauren UIich for more information and guidance on this topic at Lulich@upstateforever.org
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