Shield project will remove trees for forest health
Beginning as early as this week, the Deschutes National Forest will begin the “Shield” forest management project in the Newberry Caldera to remove trees that are exhibiting signs of future failure from insect infestation and disease.
In order to allow operators to safely remove marked trees in the Caldera section of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument, some campgrounds will begin closing early for the season. Summer campsite reservations for East Lake Campground will end on August 20th, however, first-come first-serve camping will be available until operators are able to begin work. After September 3rd, Little Crater and Cinder Hill Campgrounds will stop taking campsite reservations for this season and these sites will remain as first-come first-serve campsites until operations will begin. Tree removal work will continue through the fall at various campgrounds and roadways within Newberry Caldera. Work will continue as conditions allow.
The Shield project’s aim is to remove trees that exhibit signs of future failure from campgrounds and along roadways within the Newberry Caldera. Forest Service employees marked trees during the summer of 2017. Painted trees do not pose an immediate hazard to visitors, as trees that imminently threaten campground visitors are removed annually. Some trees are showing signs of future failure from insect infestations and disease and completing this work now will help reduce further outbreaks around the developed recreation sites. Tree removal work will continue through 2020 and may affect campground reservation availability for next year.
The Newberry Caldera has areas of high risk for insect and disease and recent outbreaks of mountain pine beetle and western gall rust that slowly cause tree damage and mortality. Dead and dying trees and excessive down fuels are not compatible with visitor safety in campground and keeping primary access roads cleared. Removing diseased trees and thinning the forest can help prevent tree mortality from bark beetle and future outbreaks within the campgrounds and along roads reducing the number of future danger and hazard trees within these highly used areas.
The Newberry National Volcanic Monument is a special place and care has been taken to complete this work in a timely manner. The goal of the Deschutes National Forest is to maintain the beauty of the Caldera and the health of our forest so visitors can enjoy this natural wonder long into the future. For more information on this project, visit: https://go.usa.gov/xUMap
