12 • 06 • 2019
Storm does not Spare Forests in LVM Zemgale Region
Thunderstorm, which raged in Kurzeme and Vidzeme on 11 June, carrying along huge grains of hail and strong wind gusts, also crossed the surrounding area of Tukums. Employees of JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM) upon surveying the territories, found continuous damage in certain state forest masses in Tume, Jaunsāti and Smārde Rural Territories, as well as in Kandava Municipality Vāne Rural Territory to the east from Matkule.
The preliminary volume of wood fallen down and damaged in LVM Zemgale Region is stipulated to be about 10 thousand cubic metres. The worst situation has been recorded next to Ventspils highway in the direction from Jaunmokas to Pūre.
“Currently, LVM employees with the help of a drone are trying to identify the areas affected by the wind. This way, we will get more accurate data for organising the necessary clean-up works,” says Sandris Upenieks, LVM Zemgale Regional Forestry Manager.
Thunderstorm damage in LVM Zemgale Region
“During thunderstorm, strong winds usually break pine tree trunks, and not spruce trees or deciduous trees; it is because pines form a strong and long taproot in mineral soils, which, as a solid anchor holds its owner and prevents it from leaning during thunderstorm. Of course, in drained wet peat soils, pine trunks do not form a taproot and stand as of on a “chicken leg”, so there the strong wind will probably push down the trees with all the roots,” says Sandris Upenieks.
Because of the warm weather, LVM will organise the removal of wood from the forest as soon as possible, so as not to deteriorate the sanitary condition of the forest and the quality of the wood.
According to forecasters, the thunderstorm, which raged in Kurzeme and Vidzeme on Tuesday evening is not characteristic of Latvia, and it might have been whirlwind. There are fallen trees on roads in a number of places in this storm-affected region.
