Forest Health Hazard Warning
Landowner Assistance Center
Welcome to the forest health assistance center. Here you’ll get help on understanding risks to your woodlot or forestland from forest insects, why a Forest Health Hazard Warning has been issued, and what actions you might want to consider for protecting your forest.
2013 Forest Health Workshops for Eastern Washington Forestland Owners
Two-Hour Evening Forest Health Workshops
April 30 - Vancouver, WA
May 22 - Everett, WA
These evening workshops will provide Eastern Washington forest landowners who live in Western Washington an opportunity to learn about the major insects damaging Eastern Washington forests and the management options that are available to improve the health of their forest. For more information on these workshops and to register, click here.
Hands-On Forest Health Workshop
May 11 – Glenwood, WA
This forest health workshop is designed to give landowners hands-on experience identifying and measuring factors that affect the health of their forests. The afternoon field session will include measurement of a forest stand to help landowners assess risk factors in their woods and practice identifying healthy/unhealthy trees and proper tree spacing. For more information on this workshop and to register, click here.
These workshops are sponsored by DNR and the Washington State University Extension.
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| Spruce Budworm Larvae on New Growth | | Spruce Budworm Defoliation |
Forest Health Hazard Warning
The Commissioner of Public Lands has issued a Forest Health Hazard Warning under Washington State Law RCW 76.06.
View maps of the warning areas: Okanogan/Ferry Counties or Klickitat/Yakima Counties.
Over the last several decades, eastern Washington forests have experienced a doubling of the acres damaged each year by insects and diseases. The purpose of the warning is to call attention to areas of emerging damage and susceptible forest conditions, and to help coordinate timely actions to address the situation. A technical advisory committee evaluated risks in eastern Washington to recommend high priority areas for a warning.
Action is needed by all forest landowners (state, private, tribal and federal) to change the forest conditions that promote large insect outbreaks. This begins with getting help from a forester to assess risks. Carefully planned thinning and harvest activities can reduce both the hazard for insect outbreaks and extreme wildfires. In some cases, these actions can generate revenue for landowners, while in other cases, they may mostly involve small tree thinning. DNR will coordinate landowner forest health restoration projects in the warning areas.
All actions are voluntary on the part of the affected landowners and land managers.
DNR also will coordinate multi-landowner forest health restoration projects in the warning areas. This problem has been building over a long period of time, and it will take time to address. However, with the concerted efforts of all landowners, we can improve the health of eastern Washington forests.
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions.
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| Unthinned Ponderosa Pine | | Thinned Ponderosa Pine |
How do I know if I have a forest health problem & what can I do?
Depending on the area your property is in, the Forest Health Hazard Warnings were issued for two major forest pests: western spruce budworm and pine bark beetles. There are many other forest health issues present in the warning areas, but these two major pests comprise the majority of the damage observed each year.
Here are a few warning signs & options to click that will help guide you getting started:
- I have trees on my property that are turning red/brown or have other signs of damage.
- I haven't observed any damaged/dead trees but am concerned about what might make my property susceptible.
- I have trees that were blown over or broken in the recent storms.
- I don't know whether my trees have been damaged or not.
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| Western Pine Bark Beetle | | Pitch Tubes from Pine Bark Beetle |
Who do I contact for more information & assistance concerning forest health issues with my forestland?
Please fill out this form, and a DNR forester will be in touch with you.
Forest Health Hazard Warning - more Resources & Links
Federal Civil Rights
In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, DNR does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. However, should a person wish to file a discrimination complaint, please write to:
USDA, Director
Office of Civil Rights
Room 326-W, Whitten Building
1400 Independence Avenue SW
Washington D.C. 20250-9410
or call 202.720.5964 (voice and TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.