• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
Southern Rockies Fire Science Network

Southern Rockies Fire Science Network

JFSP Fire Science Exchange Network

  • Home
  • About
    • About Us
    • Our Partners
  • Subregions
    • Why Subregions?
    • Black Hills
    • Wyoming Sagebrush
    • Uinta Basin
    • Wasatch Plateaus/Mountains
    • Rocky Mountains
    • Canyonlands/Desert Montane
  • Events
    • Event Summaries
  • Resources
    • Pre and Post-Fire Emergency Resources
    • Research & Publications
    • Maps, Models & Apps
    • COVID-19
  • Contact
  • Show Search
Hide Search

Fire Science Digest: Bark Beetles and Fire: Two Forces of Nature Transforming Western Forests

View the publication here!

Bark beetles are chewing a wide swath through forests across North America. Over the past few years, infestations have become epidemic in lodgepole and spruce-fir forests of the Intermountain West. The resulting extensive acreages of dead trees are alarming the public and raising concern about risk of severe fire. Researchers supported by the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) are examining the complicated relationship between bark beetles and wildfire, the two most influential natural disturbance agents in these forests. Are the beetles setting the stage for larger, more severe wildfires? And are fires bringing on beetle epidemics? Contrary to popular opinion, the answer to both questions seems to be “no.”

Image Source: Joint Fire Science Program

Posted by:
Gloria Edwards
Published on:
June 6, 2017

Categories: Newsletter/DigestTags: all regions, bark beetles, beetle infestation, coupled disturbance, disturbance, disturbance interactions, disturbance regimes, fire severity, fire-adapted communities and fire response, Forest Management, Insects & Disease, JFSP, Joint Fire Science Program, landscape restoration and resilience, lodgepole pine, spruce/fir forests, wildfire, Wildfire Operations & Management

Footer

Connect With Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sign up for our newsletter

Got a Question?
Email us.

This regional Fire Exchange is one of 15 regional fire science exchanges sponsored by the Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP).
View resources from multiple exchanges.