Columbia Gorge News
www.columbiagorgenews.com
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
B7
OSU Extension
Tree health and
fire preparedness
Ahrens
■ By OSU Glenn
Extension Forester, Clackamas,
Hood River, and Marion counties
Dying or declining trees
stand out in contrast to the
lush green of a new grow-
ing season in the forest.
Bark beetles are the most
common cause for dying
trees in scattered locations
across the Mid-Columbia
region. Landowners and
others in charge of tree care
are advised to take special
precautions to prevent bark
beetle outbreaks and avoid
attracting bark beetles to
their trees. The first flight of
bark beetles emerge from in-
fested trees and tree debris
beginning in April, with
periodic emergence through
the summer.
You may have heard
Oregon Department of
Forestry (ODF) Forest
Entomologist Christine Buhl
on the radio talking about
threats from bark beetles.
She notes that while not
every infestation will spread,
the likelihood is greater
when trees are struggling
due to drought or root
disease. OSU Extension is
working with Christine and
other forest entomologists in
Oregon and Washington to
provide some basic guid-
ance for reducing risks due
to bark beetles.
Though bark beetles are
native to Oregon forests,
recent episodes of drought,
fire, and storm damage
have increased bark beetle
hazards. Major tree species
affected are Ponderosa pine
and Douglas-fir. The recom-
mendations for dealing with
bark beetles are different for
each tree species.
With pine species, tree
debris produced during the
spring and summer is highly
attractive to breeding bark
beetles. When possible,
schedule tree work such
as thinning, pruning, and
tree removal for fall and
winter (October through
December).
Tree debris and slash
may be left on the ground
during fall and winter time
(best if it is scattered). When
work on pine trees is done
during spring and summer
(hazard trees or other urgent
needs), tree debris three
to eight inches in diameter
should be disposed of within
two months via chipping,
burning, or hauling away.
For more details, see slash
management for bark beetle
protection at www.oregon.
gov/odf/Documents/forest-
benefits/Slashmanagement.
pdf.
The Douglas-fir bee-
tle prefers larger trees or
logs, at least 10 inches in
diameter. Local outbreaks
of Douglas-fir beetle can
be caused when groups of
fallen trees or logs are left
in the woods. The beetles
breed in the down wood
and their population may
grow large enough to infest
nearby green trees after a
year or two. Fire damaged
trees may also become
infested to hazardous
levels. Recommendations
to reduce beetle hazards are
to remove fallen trees, logs,
or infested trees larger than
10-inches diameter before
April of the first or second
year after the tree falls.
When removal is delayed
(or not done), the repellent
pheromone MCH can be
effective in protecting green
trees in the area. For more
information, visit www.or-
egon.gov/odf/Documents/
forestbenefits/Douglas-
fir-beetle.pdf and MCH for
Douglas-fir beetle manage-
ment at www.oregon.gov/
odf/Documents/forestbene-
fits/MCH_2016.pdf.
If a tree is completely
dead and brown in color
(dead for one year or more),
bark beetle hazards are min-
imal. In this case, if trees are
not considered hazardous,
an acceptable alternative is
to leave dead trees standing
for wildlife use.
Note that any screen
trees removed within the
Columbia River Gorge
National Scenic Area must
be replaced with new
trees. Contact the CRG
Commission for more infor-
mation at www.gorgecom-
mission.org/default.cfm.
‘Fire Aware, Fire
Prepared’
Reducing the amount of
tree debris to mitigate bark
beetle hazards also helps
reduce fire hazards. But
there are other important
steps that everyone can take
to prepare for wildfire. To
help prepare for another
wildfire season, the OSU
Extension Fire Program
is providing Wildfire
Wednesday educational
sessions online. Episodes in
the webinar series cover key
aspects of preparing for and
surviving wildfire. Look for
the online webinar guide for
upcoming sessions as well
as video recordings of past
sessions at extension.ore-
gonstate.edu/fire-program/
online-webinar-guide.
For questions about tree
health or wildfire hazards,
contact your OSU Extension
Forester (Glenn Ahrens
at 503-655-8631 glenn.
ahrens@oregonstate.edu) or
the Oregon Department of
Forestry (The Dalles office,
541-296-4626).
About OSU Extension
The Oregon State
University Extension Service
shares research-based
knowledge with people and
communities in Oregon’s 36
counties. OSU Extension’s
partnerships and programs
contribute to a healthy,
prosperous and sustainable
future for Oregon.
Director Michael Friend (right) and DP John Hardham (left) filming with MCEDD Executive
Director Jessica Metta at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center;
Video wins national
award for Columbia
Gorge production team
Laughing Deva Productions, a Columbia Gorge-based video production company, has
received a Silver Telly Award for their recent video produced for OneGorge. This marks
the third Telly Award received by the Laughing Deva team. The Telly Awards honor excel-
lence in video and television across all screens.
OneGorge is an advocacy group comprised of private and public sector leaders work-
ing to understand and advocate for the needs of individual communities and the regional
community as a whole, according to a press release. In the past, OneGorge has hosted
the “Gorgeous Night Out”events at the state capitals in Olympia and Salem, providing
legislators and their staff a chance to network and gain an understanding of common
issues OneGorge has identified that affect Oregon and Washington. The video was pro-
duced because of the unique situation in early 2021 due to restrictions imposed by the
COVID-19 pandemic. OneGorge contacted Laughing Deva to produce both the video
and a live-streamed virtual event to take the place of the regular event for 2021. With the
OneGorge video and the live-streamed “Gorgeous Night In” event, legislators were able
to gain a full understanding of what OneGorge seeks to accomplish this year in support
of regional goals, such as replacement of the Hood River Bridge, land use issues, and
emergency management challenges, said a press release.
The video included on-camera appearances by regional leaders from MCEDD, law
enforcement, the Warm Springs Tribe, and county governments of both states.
Mayor of White Salmon Marla Keethler and former Hood River Mayor Paul Blackburn
co-hosted the March 10 event, live streamed from the theater of the Columbia Center for
the Arts. State and Federal Representatives and Senators from Washington and Oregon
attended virtually.
Genevieve Scholl, OneGorge program coordinator, said, “OneGorge is grateful to the
Oregon and Washington legislators and their staff for continuously listening, helping with
legislative action that yields real, tangible results for Gorge communities. Relationships
really matter and this open platform that facilitates face-to-face and coordinated advoca-
cy has proven to be very helpful.”
Laughing Deva Productions consists of Director E. Michael Friend, Director of
Photography John Hardham, and Associate Producer Joe Garoutte.
View the OneGorge video at youtu.be/va0iuECRQoU.
USDA to support economic development in
National Scenic Areas impacted by wildfires
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural
Development is making priority funding available to support
economic development and create jobs in National Scenic
Areas, located along waterways, that have been devastated by
wildfires.
The funds may be used to establish business support
centers; provide funds for job training and leadership devel-
opment; or to support targeted technical assistance, training,
feasibility studies, and other activities leading to the develop-
ment or expansion of small and emerging private businesses
with fewer than 50 employees and less than $1 million in
gross revenue, said a press release.
Rural Development is reserving $2 million under the Rural
Business Development Grant (RBDG) Program for eligible
projects in rural communities located on a river or ocean
coastline. Priority is being given to National Scenic Areas
impacted by wildfires. National Scenic Areas are environ-
mentally-protected, federally-designated locations that have
outstanding natural and scenic value.
State and local government entities, nonprofits, and feder-
ally-recognized tribes are eligible to apply. Proposed projects
must be consistent with any local, tribal, or area-wide
community and economic development strategic plans and
support other economic development activities in the project
area.
These grants are awarded on a competitive basis.
Applications must be received by July 6 at 4:30 p.m. In
Oregon, applications may be submitted electronical-
ly to or.rd.bp.apps@usda.gov or mailed to USDA Rural
Development, ATTN: Faith Harris, 1220 S.W. Third Ave., Suite
1801, Portland, OR 97204.
Prior to developing an application, interested applicants
are encouraged to contact Faith Harris, business and coop-
erative programs specialist, 503-414-3358, to discuss their
project proposal.
Additional information is also available on page 27365 of
the May 20 Federal Register.
is Hiring
Mt Hood Forest Products
compensation and benefits
include:
Understanding the First Amendment is key to
protecting our free society.
Competive wage
Paid Time Off
Medical/Dental/Vision/Prescription
Insurance offered
Life Insurance
401K Traditional/Roth
Up to 4% 401K company
contribution match
HOOD RIVER | THE DALLES | WHITE SALMON
Columbia Gorge News
ColumbiaGorgeNews.com
Mt Hood Forest Products LLC is an
Equal Opportunity Employer
Mt Hood Forest Products lumber facility in Hood River,
Oregon is expanding additional shift production. We are
looking to fill multiple positions in our fast paced lumber
mill for both day and night shifts. If interested in any of
these positions please apply:
•
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DLI Operator
Twin Horizontal Gang
Gang Edger Operator
Single Resaw
Single Resaw Helper
Tipple Operator
Tipple Helper
Hula Saw
Planerman
• Planer lnfeed Helper
• Sorter Bin Chaser
• Stacker
• Strapper
• Forklift Driver
• Log Yard Operator/
Equipment Operator
• Millwright/Mechanic
• Chain Puller
Full job descriptions and required application
can be obtained at the main office located at
4865 Hwy 35 Hood River, OR 97031.
Job postings can also be found on Indeed.com