Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park to Implement Thinning Project to Combat Disease and Wildfire Risks
A thinning project is set to take place in Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park to address disease and pest outbreaks and reduce wildfire hazards. State officials plan to thin 1,000 acres in the 3,000-acre park, focusing on areas around Loon, Horseshoe, Crystal, Upper Thompson, and Lower Thompson lakes.
The project aims to achieve 8- to 12-foot spacing between tree crowns and remove hazardous fuels from the understory. Historical low-intensity fires maintained open stands of ponderosa pine and western larch, which have been affected by logging practices and fire exclusion, leading to significant tree mortality.
Proposed treatments will promote fire-tolerant species and improve wildlife habitat. Funded by a Community Wildfire Defense Grant from the U.S. Forest Service, the first cuts will begin this winter in the Banana Lake Unit, targeting 114 acres and coordinated with nearby private land treatments.
