Inmates clear beetle-killed timber

State prisoners cut trees in campgrounds as July 4th nears

By Ashleigh Oldland, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 26, 2008 at 6:23 p.m.

Text size  

• 2 Comments
• Email
• Print

Photo by George Kochaniec Jr. / The Rocky

Tiny bug, big problem

Photo by George Kochaniec Jr. / The Rocky

Dave Hager, 40, an inmate in the Colorado Department of Corrections, removes a dead tree that was killed by pine beetles from the Sugar Loaf Campground, on Thursday.

Two dozen state prisoners spent Thursday in Colorado's high country, cutting, piling and hauling dead timber to make campgrounds safer.

The U.S. Forest Service teamed up with the Colorado Department of Corrections to clear the deadwood this week in Arapaho National Forest as the busy Fourth of July holiday week approaches.

Minimum security inmates cut down what forest officials called "hazard trees," those killed or severely damaged by pine beetles. The dead trees become fire fodder in Colorado's dry summers and also pose a hazard to campers because they blow over in strong winds.

"Everyone needs to be aware that beetle-killed trees can fall anytime," said Clint Kyhl of the U.S. Forest Service. "The work the inmates do in these areas will help keep campers safe. We are glad they're here."

The area covered by dead and dying lodgepole in Colorado has grown to 1.5 million acres since the first signs of the mountain pine beetle outbreak in 1996, according to 2007 data from state and federal forestry agencies.

Some campgrounds will be closed through the holiday, even through the summer, because of the danger presented by damaged trees.

Jack Lauthlin, a service man for Colorado Correctional Industries, said the Forest Service and the inmates have a mutually beneficial relationship.

"The Forest Service doesn't have the resources to keep up with the pine beetle problem," Lauthlin said.

Ingrid Aguayo, an entomologist for the Colorado State Forest Service, said the pine beetle, which is native to Colorado, kills old or weak trees as part of a natural process.

"In general, it is a good thing for the rejuvenation of the forest," Aguayo said. "Right now, we are having a vast outbreak because we have a continuous forest with a lot of old trees."

Aguayo said there is not much to be done about beetles settling in old trees, but it is important to clear hazardous trees for public safety and to develop ways to use wood from the dead trees.

Katherine Sanguinetti, a corrections spokeswoman, said she hopes the forest service will continue using inmates to clear trees. She said work experience helps offenders in re-entering the community.

"A lot of these guys have never had jobs before," she said. "They work hard, enjoy their time outside, learn a work ethic. They really want to be there."

oldlanda@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5624

By the numbers

* 1.5 million: Acres of dead and dying lodgepole pines since the first signs of the mountain pine beetle outbreak in 1996.

* $2 million: Estimated spending by the U.S. Forest Service in Colorado this spring for clearing hazardous trees from campgrounds and trail heads.

* 1 billion: Estimated board feet of timber contained in the 1 million pines killed annually.

• June 27, 2008

  8:17 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Scott writes:

  EXCELLENT! Make these cons earn their keep.

  Shaggy is absolutely correct. The American Communist LeagUe will be whimpering into their lattes that this is cruel and unusual punishment.

  Scott

• June 27, 2008

  8:31 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  Squatch writes:

  Its about time they found these prisoners something to do other than sit in prison wasting our tax dollars.

Featured

• Boulder Wildfire

  

  See photos from the Boulder County fire.

• Legislature Blog

  

  The Rocky's Lynn Bartels and Ed Sealover provide live updates from the Capitol.

• Rocky multimedia

  

  The news comes alive in our videos and slide shows. Catch up on what's happening today.

• Who's next?

  

  Complete coverage of the Broncos' search for a new coach.

• Weekend plans?

  

  Figure out things to do this weekend with the help of our entertainment calendar.

• Winter Escapes

  

  Your insider’s guide to the copious joys of the coolest season.

• Sam Adams' Open Mic

  

  Open Mic: Two-man advantage with Avs

• Bronco Dean's rant

  

  Listen to Bronco Dean's rant on what's next for the Broncos.

• Live updates

  

  Sign up for mobile alerts and breaking news e-mails to keep up with the latest news.