PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Forests in the Pacific Northwest may be losing value due to wildfire risk and volatile timber pricing, according to a new analysis.

Researchers at Oregon State University studied Douglas-fir forests and found that both fire risk and timber pricing can contribute to landowners' decisions to harvest trees years before they've reached the ideal age.

The problem is that early harvesting can negatively impact carbon storage, long-term timber revenue and wood quality.

"Basically, under high wildfire risk that rises with stand age, every year you wait to harvest, you’re rolling the dice," said Mindy Crandell, an OSU associate professor of forestry.

Forests cover nearly 48% of Oregon, and they are among the most productive in the U.S. Roughly 65% of Oregon's timber stoc

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