After the fires: safety in focus

This summer’s drought and fires have left their mark on the forest. A total of around 25,000 hectares have burned, and activity at the Swedish Forest Agency has been running at full speed.
– A tragedy for many forest owners, says Hans Källsmyr, national forest damage coordinator at the Swedish Forest Agency.

This summer, Swedish forests were on fire. An area the size of 50,000 football pitches, worth SEK 900 million, was affected.
– It was an unusually dry and hot summer. For many companies and contractors, it meant a complete stop that affects their liquidity. That is what has affected forestry the most, says Hans Källsmyr.

About a week ago, the last fire in Gävleborg was handed over for post-fire extinguishing. Now the follow-up work begins, with safety at the centre.
– It can still be dangerous to walk in these areas. Trees can fall if it starts to get windy, and in some places access is prohibited.

In areas where there has been a severe fire and the ground is not behaving as usual, smaller forest machines with low ground pressure may be recommended, says Hans.
– The ground is treacherous, you could say, and there is a greater risk of damaging the terrain, especially where roots have burned away.
– Now there is a lot of final felling ahead. Those who worked after the fire in Västmanland reported that the trees were different when they were to be handled.

However, there is a positive factor for forestry in general after the dry weather we have had – as long as it rains just enough this autumn.
– Then there is a good chance that you can drive without causing any major driving damage. It may also make the trees more storm-resistant, says Hans Källsmyr.

The Swedish Forest Agency has produced a fact sheet on how to show consideration and what to bear in mind when driving off-road. More information is available at www.skogsstyrelsen.se.