The Wisconsin National Guard could be on its way to help clean up trees downed by a series of storms in the northwestern corner of the state now that Gov. Scott Walker has declared a state of emergency in response to the damage.
The order directs state agencies including Military Affairs to assist with the removal of 1 million to 2 million cords of blown down timber in Burnett, Douglas and Washburn counties. A series of storms on July 1, July 19 and Aug. 1 devastated about 130,000 heavily wooded acres.
"Wisconsin has not seen this magnitude of downed timber and debris from storms since 1977. The enormous task of removing this debris has exhausted local resources," Walker said in a statement. "If the timber is not salvaged, it could cause significant hazards this winter by impairing snow removal, and it also increases the risks of major forest fires and damage to our precious North Woods."
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will be the lead state agency for the cleanup. The order also asks the Wisconsin National Guard to help clear downed trees from public rights of way if approved by the Department of Defense.
Landowners with trees fallen in public rights of way should mark them with spray paint if they want to keep the timber, according to the DNR. Trees not clearly marked will be removed. Marked trees will be moved from the rights of way and placed on the landowner's land at his or her direction, according to the DNR.
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Walker worked on the issue with state Sen. Bob Jauch, D-Poplar, and Rep. Nick Milroy, D-South Range, along with other area legislators.
Jauch said he was pleased the governor requested the help of the National Guard.
"While the storms did not qualify the communities for federal disaster assistance, the state declaration will provide the tools and resources for these communities to protect public safety and reduce the risk of forest fires," Jauch said in a statement.
Comments on the clean-up plan in Douglas County can be directed to Keith Kesler at (715) 395-1391 or by mail to 1316 N. 14th St., Suite 10, Superior, WI 54880.
