Bark Beetles

Bark beetles can affect wildfire fuels by adding decomposing or dead litter to the forest floor, potentially aiding in more fuels during a fire. However, there are debates whether or not bark beetles can actually influence the intensity of fires or not. Black et al. (2010) state that bark beetle outbreaks do not substantially increase the risk of crown fires in lodgepole pine or spruce forests under normal conditions. Instead, other conditions such as climate may act as more prominent factors. Interestingly, climate change is also the reason bark beetle outbreaks are becoming a serious concern (Black et al. 2010).



Source:
Black, S.H., D. Kulakowski, B.R. Noon, D.A. DellaSala. Do bark beetle outbreaks increase wildfire risks in the central U.S. Rocky Mountains? Implications from recent research. Natural Areas Journal 33(1):59-65.

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