Mountain Pine Beetle Update

Some of Wyoming’s forests, including the Medicine Bow National Forest, are seeing a let up of the Mountain Pine Beetle infestation. Les Koch, Forest Health Specialist with the Wyoming State Forestry Division says the reason the  infestation is declining in some areas is because they have run out of trees to kill.

Koch says other areas in the state though, such as in Weston and Crook counties,  are seeing an increase in mountain beetle infestation in the Black Hills National Forest.

Koch  reminds residents that it is extremely important that you don’t transport infested firewood from the forests into you community. He says Mountain Pine Beetles will develop in firewood pieces just as if the trees were still standing in the forest. He says the chance of the infestation spreading is high.