Provincial government to mitigate Douglas fir beetle risk in Cariboo

Feb 21, 2019 | 3:52 PM

WILLIAMS LAKE, B.C. — Helicopters are set to be used in hopes of minimizing the spread of Douglas fir beetles on Pablo Mountain.

The project, which will start as early as tomorrow (Feb. 22), is an expansion of helicopter logging operations that have been underway in the Williams Lake region this winter. 

In a news release, the provincial government says beetle populations are higher than normal in some parts of the Cariboo, but helicopter logging and related containment treatments have helped slow the spread of the beetles around Williams Lake.

The insect normally attacks small groups of trees and a significant infestation can weaken and eventually kill a tree over a period of roughly one year, the release states. This is the third straight year that heli-logging has been used in the area to decrease their numbers.

Over the past eight weeks, heli-logging activities have taken place in the Esler area southwest of Williams Lake, the South Lakeside area, sites in the North Lakeside in steep terrain on Fox Mountain, and sits on the Slater Mountain area west of Williams Lake.

The project is expected to be complete by mid-March, and residents can expect to see helicopters in the air, but no flights will occur over residential buildings.

Owners of livestock and pets are asked to take precautions to protect their animals from injuring themselves. Horses can be especially sensitive to helicopter noise and may run if startled.

The public is being asked to stay away from areas where helicopters are flying, and drones must not be operated anywhere near harvesting areas.