Pine beetle makes its way into Alberta

BANFF, Alta. — Despite a Ministerial Order banning the transportation of pine from beetle-infested areas of B.C. into Alberta, the voracious pest seems to have crossed the provincial boundary.

The mountain pine beetle has been discovered in Banff National Park and forestry workers are struggling to keep it from spreading further into the province.

In B.C., 784,000 hectares of forests have been ravaged by the beetle, making it the worst infestation in Canadian history. Alberta Transportation and Alberta Sustainable Resource Development have been turning back trucks carrying any pine products from B.C.’s infected areas that still have bark attached in an attempt to stop its spread.

The Canadian Forest Services has begun burning off affected trees to help stop the spread, but the only thing that will wipe out the beetle population is a cold winter.