Photo 87814659 © Robert Apple | Dreamstime.com

By rdnewsNOW Staff

But Efforts Continue

Government says mountain pine beetle continues to decline in Alberta

Dec 7, 2022 | 2:59 PM

The Alberta government says population surveys indicate a sharp decline in trees killed by mountain pine beetle for the fourth consecutive year.

Officials say beetle populations in Alberta have declined 94 per cent from their most recent peak in 2019. The government says the drop reflects the continuous efforts to slow the spread following the 2019 and 2020 winter seasons.

Officials say sustained periods of widespread, extreme cold increased beetle mortality and have helped to limit population growth.

“I have personally seen the effect of mountain pine beetles, and understand the risk that outbreaks pose for the livelihoods of thousands of Albertans and the resilience of our forests. I am pleased to see that our approach to controlling the spread of mountain pine beetles and favourable weather trends are having such a positive impact in many areas around the province, and we will continue to protect our forests for future generations,” says Todd Loewen, Minister of Forestry, Parks and Tourism.

The government says aerial surveys to detect lodgepole pine trees killed by mountain pine beetles completed in August covered 6.88 million hectares. These surveys are said to focus on specific areas where beetle populations are still actively killing trees.

freezing rain

Alberta RCMP warn motorists of poor driving conditions

20h ago

compassion

Homeless shelter guests and nearby medical staff provided assistance after explosion at Red Deer business

Jan 10, 2025

ALERT INVESTIGATION

Preliminary hearing scheduled for man charged in central Alberta auto crimes investigation

Jan 10, 2025

To date, government officials say more than 2.4 million hectares of Alberta forest have been affected by the spread of mountain pine beetle, killing nearly all the pine trees in the most severely affected areas.

While a sharp, widespread decline in mountain pine beetle populations is welcome news for the province, officials say the threat of resurgence still remains in some areas. Continued population pressure from Banff National Park, coupled with recent, relatively mild winters, mean that the Bow Valley, Kananaskis and Crowsnest Pass areas remain a priority for continued management and control.

On-the-ground activities underway

Partnering with local and Indigenous contractors, Alberta’s mountain pine beetle management plan moves into its next phase, which officials say includes control activities such as targeted, single-tree cutting and burning, whole-tree chipping and harvesting entire areas of affected pine trees as needed. Ground operations are said to be underway to manage sites in areas of concern.

In 2021, the average number of infested trees per site fell to about three, the lowest number since Alberta’s management program began, and a drastic drop from the 2009 all-time high of more than 18 per site, add provincial officials.

Alberta government quick facts

• The mountain pine beetle is the most destructive pine insect pest in Alberta.
  • The mountain pine beetle kills pine trees by producing a blue-stain fungi that clogs and destroys the conductive tissue of an affected tree.
• There are 5.5 million hectares of pine in Alberta that is susceptible to mountain pine beetle. The value of this pine is more than $11 billion.