Climate change and shifting temperatures could lead to a major impact from the Douglas Fir Beetle.
Typically in Northern BC, the insect isn’t a problem compared to the spruce or pine beetle but with warmer weather, especially in winter, we could see an impact on the forest industry and residential properties.
Professor of Ecosystem Science at UNBC Dezene Huber says we will have to wait and see what weather conditions are like this summer and winter to determine how they will react next year.
“Much as pine beetle and spruce beetle the warmer winters and also more drought which will stress out Douglas fir trees and cause them to be more susceptible for instance, might allow the beetle to have more of an impact out here.”
The recent wildfires are an example of how the beetle could spread.
“Possibly due to fire they could get fire damage but not killed or a lot of other trees get damaged and they get blown down due to the stand structure changing. Then local populations could build up,” added Huber.
They are already here and have always been in the north, residents just need to know when their tree may be infested. Indicators for residents to know if they have an infestation is looking at trees greater then 20cm for frass, which is like sawdust, from the beetle burrowing into the tree.
Biggest areas affected by the Douglas fir beetle are the Southern Interior and places in the states like Oregon.
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