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KAMLOOPS – In response to the
provincial mountain pine beetle epidemic, beetle-attacked lodgepole pine trees
in Lac le Jeune Provincial Park will be removed from park areas to help protect
public safety.
While pine trees may remain
standing for many years after being killed by mountain pine beetles, blow-down
of dead timber is unpredictable and falling trees represent a hazard to park
visitors. Dead trees also represent potential fuel for wildfires.
In addition, bark beetles spend the
winter in the trees they attack, and then new beetles emerge the following
summer and attack many more trees. Removal of attacked trees that contain live
beetles may also reduce local beetle populations and reduce local beetle
spread.
Beetle-attacked and potentially
hazardous trees will be removed from areas within striking distance of
campgrounds, parking lots, trails, roadways and anywhere else required to
maintain public safety. The treatment area is spread through approximately
one quarter of the park. Only dead or dying trees will be removed.
Beetle-attacked
pine trees are also being removed in areas adjacent to the park by residents of
the community of Lac le Jeune on their own private property, by the Overlander
Ski Club in the Stake Lake Recreation Area and by forestry companies.
Maintaining and protecting public safety is a key objective of the provincial
Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan.
Due to the dangerous nature of tree
removal operations, public access to the campground area will be restricted
while work is underway, beginning in mid-January and concluding around Feb. 20.
For more information about
government’s Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan, please visit www.gov.bc.ca/pinebeetle.
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contact: |
Area Supervisor BC Parks 250 371-6272 |
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