Dying trees, southern pine beetle infestations in Alabama
8/23/2024 12:00:00 AM
CATEGORIES:
Fire
Plants & Wildlife
Relief, Response & Restrictions
AFFECTED AREAS:
Bibb County, AL
Calhoun County, AL
Chilton County, AL
Choctaw County, AL
Clay County, AL
Colbert County, AL
Coosa County, AL
Dallas County, AL
Franklin County, AL
Hale County, AL
Lamar County, AL
Lauderdale County, AL
Lawrence County, AL
Limestone County, AL
Marion County, AL
Perry County, AL
Randolph County, AL
Talladega County, AL
Tuscaloosa County, AL
Winston County, AL
Start Date: 8/22/2024
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Drought is harming the trees and creating fuel for potential wildfires. Epidemic levels of southern pine beetles were infesting state forests.
“The drought that we are currently experiencing is causing a lot of insect and disease problems in the forest,” according to an Alabama Forestry Commission employee. “They are causing large areas of pines to die. When those pines die and dry out, they become more fuel for wildfires.”
WAFF TV (Huntsville, Ala.), Aug 22, 2024
The Alabama Forestry Commission has found nearly 5,000 southern pine beetle spots across the state, with more sites emerging as the summer progresses. The beetles kill an average of 191 trees per site. Because timber is important to Alabama’s economy, the beetles pose a significant threat. The worst infestations were in and around Bankhead National Forest and the Oakmulgee District of the Talladega National Forest.
WAFF TV (Huntsville, Ala.), Aug 22, 2024
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