More Than 4 Million Acres Impacted



The Mountain Pine Beetle is at epidemic levels throughout the western United States, including here in the Rocky Mountain Region (Read the Forest Service's Western Bark Beetle Strategy). Forests affected here include several in Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska. In northern Colorado and southeastern Wyoming, Mountain Pine Beetles have impacted more than 4 million acres since the first signs of outbreak in 1996. The majority of outbreaks have occurred in three forests: Arapaho-Roosevelt, White River and Medicine Bow/Routt.



Concern about the epidemic is particularly high in these areas due to watershed values and recreation use. Mitigation is critical because hazardous fuels and falling trees impact watershed resources, human health and safety, and basic services such as travel, electricity, and water.

Forests Impacted by Bark Beetle:

COLORADO:

Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre, and Gunnison National Forests

Pike–San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron–Comanche National Grasslands

Rio Grande National Forest

San Juan National Forest

White River National Forest



NEBRASKA:

Nebraska & Samuel R. McKelvie National Forests, Buffalo Gap, Fort Pierre, & Oglala National Grasslands



SOUTH DAKOTA:

Black Hills National Forest



WYOMING:

Bighorn National Forest

Medicine Bow–Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland

Shoshone National Forest