A forestry emergency has been declared in Gävleborg, Sweden, following storm Johannes, which left large quantities of fallen trees that cannot be transported due to closed forest roads. According to reports from local newspapers Gefle Dagblad and Arbetarbladet, the forestry cooperative Mellanskog is urging road associations in the region to take immediate action.
Marie Wickberg, sustainability chief at Mellanskog, stated in a press release, 'Now we need to help each other to save the timber value.' The situation is described as acute, with fallen timber losing value the longer it remains on the ground. Reports indicate that approximately 15,000 forest owners risk being affected by the deteriorating timber quality.
Now we need to help each other to save the timber value.
The storm damage has created a logistical crisis, with many smaller forest roads closed, preventing the transportation of the storm-felled wood. Mellanskog has called for coordinated efforts to address the transportation bottlenecks and prevent further economic losses to the region's forestry sector.