Willamette National Forest signs Decision Notice for the 2020 Fire Affected Road System Risk Reduction Project

Springfield, Ore., Dec. 8, 2022—The Willamette National Forest has signed the Decision Notice authorizing the implementation of the 2020 Fire Affected Road System Risk Project. The purpose of the project is to reduce the risks posed by fire-killed and injured trees along roads to restore access to and through the burned area. Fire-killed and injured trees that remain standing or have fallen across roads impede access and present hazards to forest users traveling along these routes, with risks increasing over time.

The project will cut and fall fire-killed and damaged trees along 250 miles of important access routes within the 2020 fire-affected road system where there is moderate, high, or mixed tree mortality. Trees which are likely to survive the effects of the fire or do not threaten the roads will be left standing. As these killed or injured trees fall, they may block and damage Forest Service roads, making them impassable and obstructing access. When roads are blocked by fallen trees it is considered a hazardous area unsafe for the public and causes significant impacts to road conditions. To determine which roads to include, the Willamette National Forest considered two main factors: access needs along the route and the concentration of fire-killed and injured trees that are along the segment of road. Once trees are fallen, the project will also remove fallen trees and fine fuels, such as brush and branches, within 100 feet of the road to reduce hazardous fuels along roads within the areas burned by the Beachie Creek, Lionshead, and Holiday Farm Fires.

A large portion of the work is expected to get accomplished in the first year, particularly high priority areas; however, project activities could continue for a few years. There are many variables that could impact the duration of the project including contracts and weather conditions. An interactive story map is being developed to provide an overview and access to the ongoing process of the project. More information on the story map will be available soon.

The signed Decision Notice and additional project information are available online at: https://tinyurl.com/3hrh6bwf.

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Leslie W. Garcia (She/Her/Ella)
Public Affairs Specialist

Forest Service

Willamette National Forest

Cell: (458)209-7288
[email protected]

3106 Pierce Parkway, Suite D
Springfield, OR 97477
www.fs.fed.us