FORKS — A 30-foot totem pole standing at the center of Forks since 1974 was almost cut down by chain saw-wielding vandals, officials said.
Two angular cuts were made in the back of the pole, which stood for decades at the intersections of Wood Street, Sol Duc Way and Forks Avenue.
Then a straight cut was begun on the opposite side.
“It was almost completely cut in two,” said Mayor Nedra Reed.
The cuts resemble methods used by lumberjacks to fall trees, Reed said.
The vandalism was reported at about 9 a.m. Friday, but the cutting likely took place between 11:30 p.m. Thursday and 3:30 a.m. Friday, according to a statement from the Forks Police Department.
Because of the precarious position the totem pole was left in, workers removed it with a boom truck and transported it to the city shop, Reed said.
Special significance
Although it isn’t considered a true Native American totem pole, it was carved from cedar and has special significance not only to Forks residents but also to the surrounding coastal tribes, Reed said.
The pole was placed in Forks to celebrate the Fourth of July in 1974.
Planning is under way to return the pole, possibly by using a metal collar to keep in place.
Also, leaders from the Quileute, Makah and Hoh tribes have been consulted on how to refurbish and repair the pole.
Had the vandals completed cutting down the pole, it would have either toppled into U.S. Highway 101 or on top of a propane tank, Reed said.
