LAKE COUNTY— This month, the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Service released their 2022 Aerial Detection Survey Summary Report. These annual surveys offer, “estimates of tree mortality and damage and depict broad mortality trends.”
Many residents will be aware the Lake County Board of Supervisors Proclaimed a “Local Emergency due to Pervasive Tree Mortality,” on May 3, 2022. In ensuing months, Napa and Mendocino County likewise declared States of Emergency, recognizing what is a growing crisis in much of the State of California.
United States Forest Service (USFS) data depict truly troubling trends including:
- Douglas-fir mortality was detected on approximately 61,000 acres and was mapped at light to moderate intensities in the North Coas. Additionally, Douglas-fir mortality commonly occurred as single trees or in small groups which were captured using point data collection.
- Tanoak mortality, most likely caused in some areas by Sudden Oak Death, was recorded on approximately 4,300 acres, mostly as light to moderate intensity. Mortality overall decreased significantly from 2021 and other recent years.
- True fir mortality including California and Shasta red, white and grand fir was detected across approximately 38,000 acres at mostly light to moderate intensity.
- Oak discoloration, early leaf-drop, possible dieback and mortality was common throughout interior areas of the state. Actual mortality is difficult to detect from a distance, but significant oak mortality is possible over large areas.
In 2019, USFS estimated 1,000 Lake County acres were affected by Tree Mortality. The estimated number of dead trees was 3,000. Those estimates have exponentially grown in the time since:
2019 – 1,000 Acres, 3,000 dead trees
2021 – 21,000 Acres, 331,000 dead trees
2022 – 31,000 Acres, 590,000 dead trees
Lake County’s District 5 Supervisor, Jessica Pyska, has been a central figure in statewide and federal advocacy to address this emergency: “The US Forest Service’s report shows catastrophic Tree Mortality across most of Northern California,” observes Pyska. “We have been hard at work on this problem in Lake County since 2021, and declared the first Tree Mortality Emergency back in May. Since, we have developed coalition surrounding this topic with regional counties, and assisted Napa and Mendocino with their emergency declarations.”
A 2022 windshield survey identified approximately 4,000 dead and dying trees near Lake County roadways and evacuation routes, alone. Dr. Michael Jones, the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Forest Advisor for Lake County and a trained entomologist, indicates removal of dead and dying trees is critical to mitigating multi-species bark beetle infestation. Costs for remediation of the highest priority areas, alone, are expected to exceed $12 million. County officials and partners are heavily engaged in efforts to secure funding.
“We remain relentless in our project development to treat areas of high concern, and seeking funding from every available source,” continues Pyska. “This report confirms everything we have been saying and should garner the attention and urgency that is needed.”
