Author Topic: New fuel reduction project with helicopter work to start in Wrightwood (Read 81490 times)

Wrightwood · « **on:** Jul 05, 07, 04:57:38 PM »

Today a helicopter spent at least 3 hours flying around Wrightwood while doing reconnaissance work for an upcoming fuel reduction project. The project is known as the Maria Stella project and will include a lot of aerial removal of dead, dying and diseased trees, both standing and unincorporated downed trees.

This cooperative project by San Bernardino County Fire Department, Wrightwood Fire Safe Council and NRCS will treat 771 acres of private property. The includes properties along the Southern portion of Swarthout Valley from the San Bernardino County line to the top of Lone Pine Canyon Rd.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #1 on:** Jul 05, 07, 06:30:05 PM »

Here's a map showing the basic areas that will be treated.

storm · « **Reply #2 on:** Jul 05, 07, 06:34:29 PM »

I saw the chopper this afternoon quite a bit...

phoenixgirl · « **Reply #3 on:** Jul 05, 07, 08:18:54 PM »

I saw the helicopter too, but how exactly does aerial removal of trees happen?

? $:-\$

Wildman · « **Reply #4 on:** Jul 05, 07, 08:26:58 PM »

The trees are cut and then hoisted by the Heavy Lift helicopters to a "deck" or clear area where they are dropped off and loaded onto trucks. Heli-logging is done all over the world and allows timber to be removed without putting in roads. It has a pretty good safety record and there are all kinds of limitations in place specifically for safety.

KWBoy · « **Reply #5 on:** Jul 05, 07, 08:38:39 PM »

What type of helicopter are they using? Sikorsky S64 Air Crane?

kew · « **Reply #6 on:** Jul 05, 07, 08:48:53 PM »

http://www.superiorhelicopter.com/heli_logging.php

phoenixgirl · « **Reply #7 on:** Jul 06, 07, 05:42:34 AM »

Cool, thanx for the explanation. I hope I get to see some of it from a very very very safe distance.

Wildman · « **Reply #8 on:** Jul 06, 07, 09:04:34 AM »

Quote from: Ken on Jul 05, 07, 08:48:53 PM

http://www.superiorhelicopter.com/heli_logging.php

Good site, Ken. The helicopters they fly are made called KMAX and they don't have tail rotors. The two blades on top spin in opposite directions and have little or no torque produced (hence not tail/torque rotor). Whey they fly, they look like their blade speed is very low. They also are pretty quiet. I watched them for a week up at Snow Valley when we were on a fire last summer. They might not be the company that would get the contract, so we might get different type of heavy lift ships.

RobertW · « **Reply #9 on:** Jul 06, 07, 12:05:26 PM »

It's good to hear they are finally going to get started on this project. Kudos to those that helped make this a reality!!

cedar · « **Reply #10 on:** Jul 08, 07, 12:07:56 PM »

What is the time line for this project?

Wrightwood · « **Reply #11 on:** Jul 09, 07, 08:22:07 AM »

Time line:
The project is currently out to bid.

RobertW · « **Reply #12 on:** Jul 09, 07, 08:30:47 AM »

Quote from: Wrightwood on Jul 09, 07, 08:22:07 AM

Time line:
The project is currently out to bid.

I was under the impression it was past that point. So, does that mean we are still years away? Seems bidding processes take forever.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #13 on:** Jul 09, 07, 09:07:05 AM »

RobertW...
This past week had contractors bidding and that's why the helicopter activity.
The next step is awarding the bid and the project is not one that will take an extended time period.

I'll see if I can get Tim Tate to give us a better idea on timing.

lagomorphmom · « **Reply #14 on:** Jul 09, 07, 11:27:25 AM »

I didn't realize it was in the bidding stage. I just assumed from Ken's earlier post that Superior got the job. I hope whomever gets the job is half as safe as Superior claims to be from their web site. Quite an operation....

DPW_HazardousTree · « **Reply #15 on:** Jul 09, 07, 01:10:55 PM »

This project was open for bidding for 15 Days. The bidding Period has ended and we have notified the contractor with the lowest bid. That contractor has a couple of days to either accept the contract or decline it.

Superior Helicopter generally is not a logging contractor. They sub contract their helicopter services to the loggers. It will be up to the logger who they choose to higher for the helicopter work as long as they qualify with our department.

The project should start within the next few weeks. However there is the possibility of a few set backs. The helicopters used for logging operations are the same helicopters under contract with the USFS for wildland fires. Depending on fires there could be a delay in areas that require helicopters.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #16 on:** Jul 09, 07, 01:14:08 PM »

Thanks Tim for the update!

kew · « **Reply #17 on:** Jul 09, 07, 01:16:31 PM »

I gave that site in response to FG's question about what type of helicopters were used for this kind of logging.

SkierBob · « **Reply #18 on:** Jul 10, 07, 03:29:56 PM »

I've been involved in some helicopter logging in Ketchikan, Ak. I've been looking for my pictures to post on this thread. After cutting the trees they were carried by the helicopter about a 1/2 mile to a barge in the inlet. I'd say the helicopter was unloading logs about every 3 minutes...

hill okie · « **Reply #19 on:** Jul 12, 07, 08:47:09 PM »

Too bad locals can't receive the wood for fireplaces and wood stoves.

Author Topic: New fuel reduction project with helicopter work to start in Wrightwood (Read 81490 times)

storm

phoenixgirl

Wildman

KWBoy

kew

phoenixgirl

Wildman

DPW_HazardousTree

kew

hill okie