MFPC Commends Michigan Department of Natural Resources for Decisive Action on Duck Lake Fire

LANSING, Mich., Aug. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Michigan Forest Products Council (MFPC) would like to commend the efforts put forth by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for their immediate response to the Duck Lake forest fire. The decisive action by the DNR subdued the detrimental effects that this fire would have placed on forest health and the Michigan economy.

The DNR reacted diligently and efficiently to handle one of the upper great lakes' biggest fires. This response led to loggers being able to access the valuable timber and salvage what they could. "Although we would have liked to harvest the timber when it was still alive, we are still able to harvest and sell logs which will be converted to utility poles, lumber oriented strand board (OSB) and chips that will be used in the manufacture of value added products for consumers," commented  Ron Salisbury, General Manager of Potlatch.

A total of 16 salvage sales were put up for bid during the last two weeks of June.  These sales brought in over $500,000 to the DNR which will help defer some of the costs of fighting the fire.  These sales are only the starting point of the transactions that are going to happen in order to get the trees from the forest to the consumer. 

"This is a tremendous success for the State of Michigan, the environment and the forest products industry.  It shows the resiliency and determination of Michiganders," added Salisbury.

"After the fire, disease and pest infestation threatened forest health in the region," said Scott Robbins, Forest Policy Director for the Michigan Forest Products Council, "The DNR's quick action mitigated many potential detrimental impacts on forest health throughout the region."

This is truly a remarkable victory for the DNR and the forest products industry; both parties came together to make the best of a challenging situation. The State of Michigan stood to lose 21,000 acres of timber but instead they achieved a positive outcome through their hard work, commitment to the environment, and cooperation with job providers that are dependent on sustainably managed forests. This is a prime example on how government and the private sector can work together to implement solutions.

You can find more information on the Duck Lake Forest Fire on the Department of Natural Resources website.

CONTACT: Kevin W. Korpi
Executive Director
(517) 853-8880

SOURCE Michigan Forest Products Council