The USDA Forest Service is recommending hunters, hikers and all outdoor enthusiasts to exercise caution while visiting National Forests in Alabama as crowds come in with the cooler weather.
The natural environment is different this year, and Forest Service officials are advising locals and visitors alike to plan ahead, be aware and alert while visiting recreation areas. This comes as the service reports southern pine beetles (SPB) have destroyed and severely stressed numerous pine trees throughout the Bankhead National Forest and Talladega National Forest, located in north, northeast and northwest Alabama.
The SPB is a native, non-invasive species that causes structural defects to trees, making them likely to fall in whole or in part. The Forest Service stresses that visitors need to be aware of trees that are standing upright but dead. Falling trees are an ever-present hazard when exploring the national forest.
“Forest visitor safety is our No. 1 priority,” said Linwood Butler, Forest Service supervisor for Alabama’s national forests, in a press release. “We are reminding national forest visitors to be vigilant, to look up, down and around.”
The Forest Service asks visitors to keep these five safety tips in mind:
- Look up while in the national forest to avoid dense patches of brown, yellow or reddish tree canopies.
- Look down to avoid slips, trips and falls from dead trees.
- Look around; winds could blow down trees. If you are already in the forest when winds increase, relocate your tent and vehicle to an open area.
- Bring an ax or saw to remove fallen trees from roads in case you become trapped.
- Be careful with fire while visiting a national forest. Make sure your campfire is completely out before leaving it. Southern pine beetles today mean wildfire risk tomorrow.
More safety tips can be found on the National Forests in Alabama on the USDA Forest Service's Know Before You Go page.
The Forest Service explains that SPB are not new to Alabama, as they are always present in the natural environment. Their primary hosts are loblolly, shortleaf, slash, and sometimes, longleaf pine. Some common stressors are wind damage, drought and other environmental conditions.
According to Forest Service Supervisor Butler, widespread mortality of pines caused by the southern pine beetle impacts recreation, wildlife, timber management and many other aspects of forest management.
The USDA Forest Service and the Alabama Forestry Commission are conducting a coordinated effort to prevent, detect and suppress southern pine beetles throughout Alabama.
“Unfortunately, this is the highest number of beetle spots we’ve experienced in the state in the last 23 years. The agency has conducted aerial surveys in 62 counties, with the remaining counties scheduled in the next couple weeks,” said Alabama State Forester Rick Oates in a press release. “Both Mississippi and Georgia are also counting numerous spots, so it looks as if this is an especially active pine beetle year not just here in Alabama, but across the Southeast.”
To learn more about southern pine beetles, contact the Forest Service at 334-832-4470, or visit www.fs.usda.gov/alabama.
Private landowners can contact the Alabama Forestry Commission at 334-240-9300, or visit https://www.forestry.alabama.gov/.
