U.S. Funds Project to Cull Dying Trees

San Bernardino County and federal conservation officials approved a $70-million project Tuesday to remove thousands of dead and dying trees from the San Bernardino Mountains, the biggest effort so far to clear timber that could fuel another deadly firestorm.

The agreement is part of a $120-million package approved by Congress to clear swaths of dead forest that could ignite and threaten the lives of up to 90,000 residents in San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties, according to authorities.

The counties are not required to match the funding.

“This is the most amount thrown at this forest or any other forest in a long time,” said Greg Boll, president of the Big Bear Valley Fire Safe Council, a nonprofit volunteer organization.

“It will make a huge difference in what is being done on the ground.”

Efforts to remove the dead trees gained new urgency after a wildfire swept through the San Bernardino Mountains last fall, leading to eight deaths and destroying more than 1,000 homes and other structures.

The $70 million approved for San Bernardino County will pay to remove an estimated 35,000 to 40,000 trees over the next three years, federal officials said. The remaining $50 million in federal money will be used for similar fire prevention efforts in Riverside and San Diego counties.

Under the agreement with San Bernardino County, the Natural Resources Conservation Service will hire contractors to clear dead trees on private property where the hazard is greatest. The land includes wooded areas along roads and evacuation routes, and property next to homes, schools, hospitals, utility lines and power plants.

San Bernardino County fire officials already have met with residents to select the areas that will be cleared first.

The first trees removed under the program could come down as early as June 1, officials said.

Federal officials acknowledge that the funding approved Tuesday is only a fraction of what is needed to reduce the threat.

As many as 12.5 million, or 36%, of the region’s 35 million trees are dead or dying, according to the most recent aerial surveys of the San Bernardino National Forest conducted in September before last fall’s wildfires.

The fires charred more than 91,000 acres in San Bernardino County, but destroyed only 7% of the dead trees. Making matters worse, fire protection groups say, is that the beetle infestation has continued to spread.

In the San Bernardino Mountains alone, forestry officials estimate it could cost at least $1.2 billion over the next 10 to 12 years to remove enough dead trees to eliminate the threat to residential communities.

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Clearing out the tinderbox

San Bernardino County and federal officials have agreed to spend

$70 million to remove thousands of dead and dying trees from the San Bernardino Mountains. The agreement is part of a $120-million package for forests in San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties where dead trees put lives and property at risk.

Potential costs for tree removal

*--* Population Cost of Damages County at risk tree removal prevented* Riverside 15,000+ $20 million $1.5 billion San Bernardino 50,000+ $70 million** $4.0 billion San Diego 25,000+ $30 million $2.5 billion Total 90,000+ $120 million $8.0 billion

*--*

*Projected

**for Phase 1

Source: Natural Resources Conservation Service

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Times staff writer Janet Wilson contributed to this report.