Helicopter logging project in Ashland watershed begins

A cable hangs beneath a helicopter hovering over the Siskiyou Mountain Park area just south of Ashland on Thursday, April 18. Ashland.news photo by Bert Etling
April 18, 2024

Helicopter work expected to continue for about three weeks

By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news

Helicopters will be carrying logs out of the forest above Ashland seven days a week beginning Thursday, April 18, according to a post on the city of Ashland website. 

The work will start above Walker Avenue in Siskiyou Mountain Park. After one week the helicopters will move to the top of Granite Street and work in the lower Ashland Watershed for two weeks, according to the post. 

Repairs on a log loading apparatus caused delays to the project which was originally anticipated to start Monday, April 15. 

The helicopter work will be confined to 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. in compliance with the city of Ashland’s noise ordinance. 

The project is in response to unprecedented tree die-off in local forests and is intended to reduce wildfire risk and help forests adapt to a changing climate, according to the city’s announcement.

To learn more about the project, visit the city’s page for the project or previous Ashland.news coverage. Information about related trail closures can be located on its own page. 

Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at [email protected].

Picture of Bert Etling

Bert Etling

Bert Etling is the executive editor of Ashland.news. Email him at [email protected].

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