Forest Service Plans Salvage Timber Sales in Idaho

LEWISTON, Idaho (AP) — The U.S. Forest Service is planning salvage timber sales for trees damaged by fire in the Nez Perce-Clearwater National Forest.

The Lewiston Tribune reports that agency officials are streamlining the process to approve the removal of dead and dying trees scorched by the summer's wildfires. The first trees could be sold starting in February or early March, with more logging and sales to follow.

Salvage timber has been abundant this year as private landowners moved to capture value from burned trees shortly after the flames were extinguished. The Idaho Department of Lands soon followed suit, approving 83.5 million of board feet of timber sales throughout the state.