SIA “Rīgas meži” reports that logging work in the vicinity of Ogre is being carried out on the basis of the Forest Management Plan (MAP), which was reviewed by the Housing and Environment Committee of Riga City Council in September 2021. The plan provides for forest tending and management work in the sections of various forest districts, including the Daugava sector of the Jugla Forest District, where logging was planned across 69.32 ha in 2025. However, in view of the mass outbreak of the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, the work planned in this area has been cancelled.

The forests on the outskirts of Ogre stand out for their especially extensive spruce stands, in which the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle is unfortunately now spreading. The mass outbreak of this pest is a nationwide problem. For that reason the State Forest Service (VMD) issued its latest order, No. 255, in 2025, setting out emergency measures to contain the bark beetle, which have been in force nationwide since 1 April 2023.

The Daugava sector of the Jugla Forest District is one of the worst affected areas managed by “Rīgas meži”. On the basis of opinions from the VMD, the Nature Conservation Agency (DAP) and the nature and environmental protection specialist at “Rīgas meži”, sanitary felling began in the area on the outskirts of Ogre on 2 May 2025.

Unlike commercial clear-cutting and selective felling, sanitary felling is not subject to bird nesting season restrictions, because it must be carried out without delay – to halt the spread of disease and pests and to reduce risks to public safety.

At the end of April this year, “Rīgas meži” provided explanatory information about the sanitary felling in the Ogre area, including in the Ogres Zilie kalni: “Work across 23 ha is being carried out with regard to the health of the forest, public safety and the balancing of environmental interests. The plan is to create 15 clear-cut areas of varying size (up to 4.6 ha), completely removing the stands damaged by the eight-toothed spruce bark beetle. This will avert the potential risk posed by falling trees and will also ensure the natural regeneration of the forest stand.”

All the necessary approvals were obtained before work began:

• the State Forest Service pathologist's sanitary opinion,
• the Nature Conservation Agency's opinion on felling in the “Ogres Zilie kalni” nature park
• a permit from Latvijas Valsts ceļi for the felling of hazardous trees beside the P5 Ulbroka-Ogre state regional road.

Most of the planned logging has already been completed. The remaining work, covering roughly 5 ha, will be carried out in June 2025, including near the Ogre Forestry College – a spot that is a popular place for public recreation. It is precisely for this reason that the sanitary felling must be carried out as quickly as possible, in order to reduce risks and keep the area accessible.

Sanitary felling has also been carried out in previous years

Given that the area around Ogre is characterised by extensive spruce stands, sanitary felling has taken place in this region in previous years as well. In 2023, for example, sanitary felling was carried out across 8.45 ha, including the felling near Egļu iela, about which extensive and timely information was provided to the public.

In 2024, eight sanitary clear-cuts were carried out in the Ogre area (in the Upe beat), covering a total of 5.43 ha.