Tree cutters clear the way for Camp Fire recovery

Survivors of the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history moved a step closer

to recovery this week as state-managed crews began clearing dead and dying trees from the burn scar of the 2018 Camp Fire. As part of California’s comprehensive Camp Fire recovery efforts, crews have begun removing some of the 49,397 trees that pose a danger to the public.

“For the people of Butte County and Paradise to rebuild, their communities must be safe,” Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) Acting Director Ken DaRosa said. “While crews have already removed the remnants of destroyed homes, clearing the dead and dying trees will make it safer to rebuild.”

Teams of foresters and arborists have been in the field since August identifying which of hundreds of

thousands of fire-damaged trees pose a danger of falling into the public right of way. To date:

• 25,145 trees have been marked for removal in the Town of Paradise.

• 24,252 trees have been marked for removal in the surrounding communities.

• CalRecycle estimates that up to 70,000 trees ultimately will be eligible for removal in the state-managed program.

“The start of hazardous tree removal is an important milestone in this recovery operation, and it’s a critical step in the resilient rebuilding of these communities,” California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Deputy Director Ryan Buras said. “Even as our state continues to face unprece

dented challenges from COVID-19 and extreme weather events, Cal OES and our partner agencies remain steadfast in our commitment to assist the survivors of the Camp Fire by removing these serious threats to public safety.”

Leaving a wake of death and devastation unrivaled by any wildfire in California history, the Camp Fire claimed the lives of 85 people and destroyed 13,000 homes as it tore through the Town of Paradise and portions of unincorporated Butte County. Following a successful collaboration completing the area’s structural debris removal, Cal OES tasked CalRecycle with managing the safe removal of dead or dying trees that pose a threat to the public as a result of this deadly fire.