Quartz Creek Campground in Alaska will be closed as wide-scale tree removal at the campground and its vicinity takes place this week, according to a report.
Tree fallers and heavy equipment will be used at the campground, boat launch, and the eastern part of Quartz Creek near Quartz Creek and Williams Roads as crews work to minimize the dangers posed by trees that have been infested by spruce beetles. To ensure the safety of campground crews and visitors, the campground and nearby treatment areas will be closed.
An outbreak of spruce beetles on the Kenai Peninsula has led to dead or infested spruce trees at the campground and nearby areas. These trees pose the dangers of dropping branches and falling.
The work being carried out at Quartz Creek Campground can help reduce the overall risk of fire and safety hazards in the forest.
“Spruce beetle mitigation efforts are key to forest efforts to help keep our campgrounds safe for the public, our concessionaires/partners, and our employees, also to help reduce fire hazards,” said District Ranger Ruth D’Amico.
The total area to be treated comprises 54 acres. Work at the campground is scheduled to begin this week and continue until late April, based on conditions. The trees will be cut down and decked at the campground and sold under personal use firewood permits in the spring.
This story originally appeared on Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman.
