Thunderstorms, some heavy during the morning hours, then skies turning partly cloudy during the afternoon. High around 85F. Winds SSE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 100%. 1 to 2 inches of rain expected..
Tonight
A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph.
Q: Why is Riley County cutting oak trees along McDowell Creek Road and hauling them to the dump to be burned? That wood could be used for firewood.
A: It is used for firewood! Well, some of it, anyway.
Riley County crews are removing brush and smaller trees along the road for safety reasons, said Michael Boller, noxious weeds director for the county.
This is something the county does annually, Boller said.
“As brush and trees grow close to the road, it creates several issues,” Boller said, including obstructed views of wildlife coming onto the road, potential impact points if a vehicle leaves the road or if limbs fall onto the roadway.
He said removing trees makes room for the county’s mowers to cut the grass in the spring and prevents drifting snow in the winter months.
Smaller pieces and brush are burned.
Riley County takes larger, “viable” pieces of larger trees and leaves them in a certain area of the transfer station so that people can take it and use it for firewood. People can take as much wood as they like for free so long as they bring their own saws and/or axes.
The wood (mostly in the form of logs) comes from the county, the city, and anyone who wants to dump it. That can include commercial operations or regular folks looking to get rid of logs, stumps and limbs.
County officials remove branches so that people only have to deal with the logs. They also provide an out-of-the-way place for people to cut them.
“These larger pieces are then recycled by citizens of the community, many of whom take advantage of the opportunity to cut wood at our transfer station,” Boller said.
The transfer station is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
To submit a question, send by email to questions@themercury.com, or by regular mail to Questions, P.O. Box 787 Manhattan, KS 66505.
