The US Forest Service will decide whether to go ahead after legislation was passed in the Restoring Healthy Forests Act. It streamlines the process by which salvage plans can be approved.

A local congressman said: "Salvaging timber will provide for an economic lifeline to communities already devastated by this fire as local mills can be brought to full employment salvaging the timber. Immediate action is required because after a short time the timber declines until it becomes unsalvageable."