117 Dead, Dying Trees Found In Closed Trail Of 100 Giants

SEQUOIA NATIONAL FOREST, Calif. (AP) - Forest officials say 117 dead or dying trees have been found along the now-closed Trail of 100 Giants in Sequoia National Forest.

The U.S. Forest Service closed the trail Oct. 20, fearing visitors could be hurt or killed by falling trees.

On Friday, the Forest Service said 117 white fur, incense cedar and pine trees pose a hazard. None of the hazardous trees are sequoias.

The Forest Service says the dead trees average 30 inches in diameter, and could injure visitors, damage the trail infrastructure or even harm the giant sequoias.

Rangers are planning on using chain saws to fell the dangerous trees, which will either be left on the ground, chipped and spread, cut up for firewood or burned. Rangers hope to reopen the trail by Memorial Day weekend.