2020

The Strongest Storm of Recent Years does not Spare Forest Stands in the Southern Part of Latvia

Last weekend, wind was raging in Latvia, in some parts of the country reaching the force of a storm. According to the operational information at the disposal of JSC “Latvia's State Forests” (LVM), the total volume of timber felled and broken reaches about 30 thousand cubic metres. The biggest damage was done in the southern part of Latvia.

The Meteorological Service reports that the strongest storm of recent years crossed the territory of Latvia on 12-13 March. Strong southwest-west wind gusts increased to 25 m/s, gulf coast gusts reached 25-30 m/s, and seacoast gusts up to 33-34 m/s, which corresponds to the red (highest) level of alert.

The volume of timber felled and broken by the storm in LVM's Southern Kurzeme and Southern Latgale forestries reaches approximately 16 thousand cubic metres. The storm mostly affected spruce stands, individual trees at forest edges and ecological trees in young stands. The largest damage was recorded in Ābeļi Forest District in Sēlija, where there are also continuous forest falls.

Currently, LVM employees are working on the elimination of damage and the clearing of forest roads. With the rise of air temperature, the risk of spreading of forest pests is increasing, especially in forest stands affected by storms. To minimize the possible damage, LVM is currently organizing removal of damaged wood from the forest in the shortest possible time.