MORE than 400ha of burnt pine plantations around Bridgetown in WA have been cleared in the big­gest salvage operation of pines ever undertaken in the South West of WA.

from Manjimup-Bridgetown Times

In the past six weeks about 100,000 cubic me­tres of high value radiata pine has been harvested, but the race against the clock is not over with about 270ha left to clear.

‎Forestry Minister Kim Chance said radiata pine was particularly sensitive to fire and the blue stain fungus which deteriorates the value of the timber.

‎"So far we are win­ning the race against blue stain fungus which thrives in moist con­ditions," he said.

‎"We have had a few thunderstorms and rain which caused some con‎cern, but it is not yet a serious issue.

‎Forest Products Com­mission general manager Paul Biggs said the sal­vage had been a poten­tially hazardous oper­ation because of the steep slopes, difficult access, threat of reigniting fire from old stumps, and increased needle fan causing machine fires.

‎Dr Biggs said flare­ups had been quickly extinguished and there had been no machine fires and only two minor accidents with crews building roads.

‎The Commission is concentrating on the high value product in the for­ests which will take another two weeks to clear before the operation moves to two properties with about 220ha of low value timber