The Kentucky Division of Forestry has completed its initial assessment of storm damage from the recent ice and wind storms, and private property owners could receive federal money for their damaged trees.
Most of Kentucky’s forests are on private land. If trees on that land were badly damaged in the storms, federal funds will be made available to prune or cut down the trees and to clean up the mess from fallen debris.
Division spokesperson Lynn Brammer says officials want the debris to be picked up soon because it increases the potential for forest fires.
“That’s our biggest concern, really, is that at this point all of the fallen debris will accumulate and dry out and add to the fuel load in the forest that could not only cause a wildfire but intensify one,” she says.
Brammer isn’t sure when the money for damaged trees will be available or how much will come to Kentucky.