Western Oregon Bucking Incident 2019

A major snowstorm crippled much of Oregon impacting around 300,000 acres and over 500 miles of National Forest System Road on this forest.  On 1 April 2019, Kip and others moved methodically and intentionally, picking their way through formidable log jams. Sawyers realized the uniqueness of the situation as their saws frequently became pinched throughout the morning. Kip and his saw partner tried to buck through a particularly challenging jam. As they worked into the tangled maze of blowdown, the bound log opened, released pressure, and then immediately ruptured and shifted over six feet both laterally and vertically; striking Kip with the force of a 2-story fall.

Dispatch, Project Work, Chainsaws, Non Fire, Medical Emergency, Hand Crews, Tree Felling