The sprawling Inyo National Forest, covering about 2 million acres in the Eastern Sierra near Mammoth Lakes, is known for its natural beauty and wilderness recreation.

But the very trees that make it such a popular place to visit have become a hazard to the Southern California Edison power lines that run through the forest. More than 3,000 trees have been identified as having the potential to grow, fall or blow into the power lines, which could spark a wildfire in this high fire risk area.

In an effort to mitigate that fire risk and to protect the nearby Mammoth Lakes community, about 150 SCE contract vegetation management workers will be spending the next two months in the forest removing these hazard trees.

Normally, SCE crews have been limited in the number of trees they could remove because of the inconvenience the work posed to hikers, campers and other visitors to the national forest.

The crews, however, are able to conduct this major tree removal effort this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has closed the national forest to the public. California emphasized the importance of vegetation management as essential work even during the COVID-19 crisis because of the looming dangers of wildfire.

“We know that having our vegetation management crews working can disrupt recreational activities in the forest,” said Sarah Strong, the SCE advisor who is overseeing the work. “But these are trees that have to come down and the closure gives us an opportunity to get in and do this essential wildfire mitigation work all at one time to protect the community.”

Because of the community’s concerns about COVID-19, SCE has arranged to limit its hazard tree mitigation workers’ interactions with residents. SCE rented the Mammoth Mountain Inn to house the crews. The hotel will provide all the crews’ meals and all their vehicles and equipment will be parked on-site.

Crew members will be required to wear all appropriate personal protective equipment, including face coverings, while also practicing physical distancing when possible and observing other COVID-19 precautions.

Ken Brengle, executive director of the Mammoth Lakes Chamber of Commerce, said residents are highly aware of the potential for wildfire having had their power shut off last year during high fire risk conditions. Removing the hazard trees will mitigate that risk and reduce the potential need for a Public Safety Power Shutoff.

“We understand the need to do this tree removal at this time and appreciate that the crews will be sequestered and following all public health rules,” Brengle said.

Recognizing that the community, whose economy is based on tourism, has been hard hit by the state’s stay-at-home COVID-19 restrictions, Edison International, SCE’s parent company, also donated $10,000 to the Mammoth Mountain Community Foundation, which provides money to the local food bank.

“The food bank is open three days a week and we feed more than 1,000 people,” Brengle said. “We really appreciate this donation from Edison, which will go a long way toward helping these people.”