Big Rock Flat airstrip. Western spruce budworm control project. Kinzua, Oregon.

Photo by: Unknown Date: 1950

Credit: USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection. Source: Region 6, Forest Health Protection; Aerial Survey digital collection.

Excerpt from, 1950 Spruce Budworm Control Project. Oregon State Board of Forestry. Salem, Oregon. March, 1951:

"Choice and Preparation of Airstrips:

As early in the spring of 1950 as weather conditions permitted, the unit supervisors, assisted by the operators, went into the field to locate and plan the necessary airfields. In choosing airfield sites it was necessary that they be as close as possible to the areas to be sprayed, and at the same time readily accessible to heavy trucks delivering insecticides.

When suitable sites had been found leases were negotiated with landowners. Development work was begun as soon as ground conditions were suitable, and in every instance was completed well in advance of spraying operations.

For the Roseburg-Springfield and the Joseph-Day Ridge units commercial airfields were employed. For the Ukiah unit an airstrip developed by the local flying club was used as a take-off strip and an additional strip for landing was developed by the forestry department. Cultivated fields requiring only mowing and hand grading were employed for the Starkey and LaGrande Units. The most extensive development job was the construction of the Big Rock Flat airfield for the Kinzua Unit. Through the cooperation of the Kinzua Pine Mills Company, a landing strip 1,000 feet long, a 2,000 foot take-off strip, and a large loading and parking area were graded. Following grading the loading area and portions of the runways were oiled."

For additional historical forest entomology photos, stories, and resources see the Western Forest Insect Work Conference site: <a href="http://wfiwc.org/content/history-and-resources" rel="nofollow">wfiwc.org/content/history-and-resources</a>

Image provided by USDA Forest Service, Region 6, State and Private Forestry, Forest Health Protection: <a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/r6/forest-grasslandhealth" rel="nofollow">www.fs.usda.gov/main/r6/forest-grasslandhealth</a>

This image or file is a work of a United States Department of Agriculture employee, taken or made as part of that person's official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain. English ∙ español ∙ Nederlands ∙ slovenščina ∙ Tiếng Việt ∙ македонски ∙ русский ∙ українська ∙ 日本語 ∙ +/−