LAKE COUNTY >> Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest remains closed to all public use due to hazardous conditions as a result of the Valley Fire and the subsequent restoration and emergency timber operations.
CalFire Sonoma Lake Napa Division Chief Jim Wright reported that 99 percent of the forest burned, 80 percent of the mature trees are dead and 95 percent of the conifer regeneration is dead. The State Forest’s recreational facilities were also either destroyed or heavily impacted by the September fire.
“It will take time and scientific intervention to aid Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest back to a healthy forest that is safe for the community and public to enjoy,” Wright said. Our CalFire team is working towards the goal of opening the forest to the public in late 2016.”
After the fire, the state assembled environmental scientists from multi-agencies to address forest repair and create a restoration plan for Boggs Mountain Demonstration Forest.
Current work in the forest includes dead tree removal (salvage) logging. Two emergency salvage harvest plans have been sold to private timber companies, Mendocino Forest Products and Sierra Pacific Industries. These are actively being harvested at this time. At least three more salvage sales will go out to bid shortly.
In addition, three new fire related research projects have been established on the forest. CalFire crews are restoring recreation trails by installing erosion control, removing hazards, and piling and burning dead material.
