A proliferation of the spruce budworm in the US is raising the risk of forest fires, according to Universite de Montreal researcher Patrick James. The tiny worm, which can grow up to a centimetre long, has been found on more than 100 species of spruce, including some that are considered fire-resistant and others with thick bark. The budworm outbreak has already had an adverse economical impact. "Most of those trees don't get harvested, they don't go to the sawmill, profits aren't made," said James. The severe defoliation is expected to cost the forest industry in New Brunswick alone between $3bn-$4bn over the three decades.
A proliferation of the spruce budworm in the US is raising the risk of forest fires, according to Universite de Montreal researcher Patrick James. The budworm denudes trees and leaves vast areas of standing dead and dry wood in its wake, ready to be ignited. The budworm outbreak has already had an adverse economical impact. "Most of those trees don't get harvested, they don't go to the sawmill, profits aren't made," said James. The severe defoliation is expected to cost the forest industry in New Brunswick alone between $3bn-$4bn over the three decades.