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Mountain pine beetle numbers climbing in Alberta" We are stepping up our actions to include harvesting infested and susceptible stands of pine trees, in addition to the cutting and burning we have been doing," said David Coutts, Minister of Sustainable Resource Development. "We will continue to work proactively with all stakeholders to do what is best for Alberta 's forests." The government has a Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan which describes the methods to be used at different levels of infestation in different areas. Until now, infestations had been relatively low and have been located primarily in parks, protected areas and on private lands. To control the mountain pine beetle population in those locations, the government used selective cutting and burning of individual infested trees. Much of this new infestation - located primarily north of Jasper National Park to Peace River, between the B.C. border and Fox Creek - is found on land used by forest companies to harvest timber. On those lands, forest companies will harvest infested pine stands. They have also been asked to change their harvesting plans so they can focus on areas that are susceptible to these beetles. This is the first time that mountain pine beetles have been found in these areas. Smaller infestations have been detected in and around the mountain passes in southern Alberta with no significant increase in numbers. The government will continue to selectively cut and burn individual infested trees where appropriate. Infested trees found on private or municipal land will continue to be treated by municipalities with assistance from the province. Current estimates are based on survey results in a representative sample area that are then applied to the larger known infested area. Surveys will continue. Mountain pine beetle action plan Backgrounder |
