A proliferation of the spruce budworm in the US is increasing the risk of forest fires , according to Université de Montreal researcher Patrick James . The insect 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 . "The budworm changes the composition of the forest, it denudes the trees and leaves behind huge areas of standing dead and dry timber. " Most of those trees do n't get harvested , they do n't go to the sawmill , profits are n't made , " said James . The severe outbreak 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 increasing the risk of forest fires , according to Université de Montreal researcher Patrick James . The insect 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 do n't get harvested , they do n't go to the sawmill , profits are n't made , " said James . The severe outbreak is expected to cost the forest industry in New Brunswick alone between $ 3bn-$4bn over the three decades .