Dead and Dying Trees From Drought Pose Danger

Drought and pine bark beetle infestation are killing millions of trees in California. 

PG&E crews in Placer County are cutting down four dead Ponderosa Pine trees that threaten power lines. Jeff Mussell, a vegetation manager with PG&E, says these trees were green just three months ago.  But the drought and bark beetle infestation have killed so many trees, entire hillsides in the Sierra are turning brown.

“Just within our area, I would say about 10 percent of our workload is due dead dying trees," says Mussell. "Our total workload and what we maintain just within Placer County is about 40,000 trees, so we’re looking at about 4,000 of those are dead, dying, diseased.”

Weakened trees can pose a threat because they can fall on power lines and homes, cause injuries, power outages and wildfires. PG&E and Cal Fire are urging homeowners to remove damaged trees quickly to reduce wildfire risk.