Quartz Creek Campground closed for tree removal

Wide-scale tree removal will begin this week in and near Quartz Creek Campground. Tree fallers and heavy equipment will be in use at the campground, boat launch and the east side of Quartz Creek near Quartz Creek and Williams Roads as crews work to reduce hazards from trees impacted by spruce beetle. For the safety of work crews and the public, the campground and adjacent treatment areas will be closed to all public use.

A spruce beetle outbreak on the Kenai Peninsula has led to a large number of dead or infested spruce trees in and around the campground. Forest health surveys show over 80% of spruce trees in campgrounds are impacted by the outbreak. These trees are susceptible to dropping limbs and falling, creating threats to people and structures.

Spruce beetles are a naturally occurring pest that given the right environmental conditions can kill trees across a wide geographical area. As of this date, they are responsible for approximately 900,000 acres of dead and dying spruce in southcentral Alaska.

Trees that have succumbed to beetle infestation can begin falling as soon as one to three years, creating hazards for both people and infrastructure. Impacted trees can also affect wildfire behavior. The work being done in Quartz Creek Campground helps reduce overall fire and safety hazards on the Forest.

“Spruce beetle mitigation efforts are key to forest efforts to help keep our campgrounds safe for the public, our concessionaires/partners, and our employees, also to help reduce fire hazards,” said District Ranger Ruth D’Amico.

The total area being treated is 54 acres. Work in the campground is expected to begin this week and continue through late-April, depending on conditions. Trees will be removed and decked in the campground and offered for sale under personal use firewood permits in the spring of 2022.