Montgomery, AL – As cooler temperatures arrive, Alabama’s national forests are once again a popular destination for hikers, campers, and hunters. However, this year, visitors are encountering a different natural environment due to a significant outbreak of southern pine beetles, which are affecting the Bankhead and Talladega national forests in north, northeast, and northwest Alabama.
The southern pine beetle, a native but destructive species, causes significant damage to pine trees, making them structurally compromised and prone to falling. Forest Service officials are urging visitors to be vigilant and cautious to ensure their safety during outdoor activities.
“Forest visitor safety is our No. 1 priority,” said Linwood Butler, Forest Service Supervisor for Alabama’s national forests. “We are reminding national forest visitors to be vigilant, to look up, down, and around.”
To help ensure a safe visit, the Forest Service provides the following safety tips on the National Forests in Alabama Know Before You Go page:
- Look Up: Be cautious of dense patches of brown, yellow, or reddish tree canopies, which indicate dead or stressed trees.
- Look Down: Watch out for slips, trips, and falls caused by dead trees on the ground.
- Look Around: Be aware that strong winds could blow down trees. If wind conditions increase while you are in the forest, move your tent and vehicle to an open area.
- Bring Tools: Carry an ax or saw to clear fallen trees from roads in case of being trapped.
- Fire Safety: Ensure your campfire is completely extinguished before leaving. Dead trees can increase wildfire risks.
Southern pine beetles are always present in Alabama’s forests but are currently at higher levels than usual. Their primary hosts are loblolly, shortleaf, slash, and occasionally longleaf pine. Stressors like wind damage and drought can exacerbate their impact.
“The widespread mortality of pines caused by the southern pine beetle affects various aspects of forest management, including recreation, wildlife, and timber management,” explained Butler.
The USDA Forest Service, in collaboration with the Alabama Forestry Commission, is actively working to manage and mitigate the beetle outbreak. “This is the highest number of beetle spots we’ve experienced in the state in the last 23 years,” said Alabama State Forester Rick Oates. “Both Mississippi and Georgia are also seeing numerous spots, indicating a particularly active pine beetle year across the Southeast.”
For more information on southern pine beetles, contact the Forest Service at 334-832-4470 or visit www.fs.usda.gov/alabama. Private landowners can reach out to the Alabama Forestry Commission at 334-240-9300 or visit https://www.forestry.alabama.gov/.
