Alberta’s Mountain Pine Beetle Population Continues to Steadily Decline

The mountain pine beetle is the most destructive pine insect pest in Alberta. However, thanks to Alberta’s aggressive mountain pine beetle control program, as well as cold winters, the province has made great strides in preserving the health and resilience of the province’s forest. Since reaching its peak in 2019, the mountain pine beetle population in Alberta has declined 98%, according to the provincial government (12-21-23).

Alberta has been proactively managing the mountain pine beetle for more than 15 years, which has helped to mitigate wildfire risk and negative impacts to the forest industry, watersheds, and endangered species. Alberta says it will continue to invest in the mountain pine beetle control program to ensure its continued success.

In a press release highlighting the progress, Alberta Minster of Forestry and Parks Todd Lowen said, “The mountain pine beetle is a significant threat to our province’s forested lands, and we are working hard to protect the health of our forests and the livelihoods of thousands of Albertans. I am proud of the progress we have made in controlling the spread of mountain pine beetles throughout Alberta.”

Alberta’s government remains committed to working with local and Indigenous partners to combat the threat posed by the mountain pine beetle through a variety of control activities. Ground operations are underway in southwestern areas of the province. Alberta will continue to protect the health, resilience, and sustainability of forests for current and future generations.

Alberta uses management measures like population monitoring, risk assessments, cutting and burning infested trees, and harvesting highly vulnerable pine to reduce the impact of the beetle in the province’s forests.