Rocky Mountain Region Bark Beetle Information
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
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