The Sunshine Coast Community Forest is warning the public about “danger trees” after a partly cut tree fell on a roadway at Wormy Lake.
The Community Forest received a tip last month that someone had tried to fall a two-foot-diameter Douglas fir tree at Wormy Lake in Halfmoon Bay.
“After being improperly cut, the tree did not fall and the cutter left it standing, walking away from an extremely dangerous situation,” the Community Forest said in a release.
The tree was located close to the road between the campsite and the boardwalk. “This is a high traffic road used by bikers, hikers, photographers and outdoors people in general,” the release said.
“Before a certified danger tree faller could be summoned to fall this hazardous cut tree, it fell over, landing directly on the road. Had a car been driving by, or a mountain biker, an ATVer, or a family out for a walk, they would never have heard any warning. No chainsaw, no shout, no time to run away to safety; just a swishing of air before the tree crashed onto the road. Our community is very fortunate no one was killed.”
The Community Forest has notified the RCMP, the Conservation Officer Service, the Sunshine Coast Forest District and WorkSafe BC to advise them of this near-miss incident. They are asking the public to keep an eye out for illegal firewood poachers who cut trees like this one with no regard for public safety. Please report any sightings of this type to the Community Forest office at 604-885-7809 or email [email protected]. Include photos and licence plate numbers if possible.
