Bridger-Teton to spray pine trees in recreation areas
by Bridger-Teton National Forest
June 8, 2012
The Bridger-Teton National Forest will be applying insecticides in recreation sites across the forest over the next week.
The need for this is driven by the current mountain pine beetle epidemic, which has heavily affected many areas throughout western Wyoming and has already impacted some individual trees within popular recreation areas.
"We are having our work begin in the high-use areas of the forest including our campgrounds, day-use areas and trailheads," said Samuel Ainsley, Forestry Technician for the Bridger-Teton. "It is important that we treat the green trees before the beetles fly again in mid-summer when they’ll bore into and lay their eggs in new-found trees." Ainsley also wanted visitors to be aware that they may see packets affixed to trees in the recreation areas. "These 2"x2" packets are verbenone pouches and they are used to ward away bark beetles in areas that we avoid spraying because they are closer to water".
Beginning mid-June depending upon the weather, a Forest Service workforce and contract sprayers will be spraying Carbaryl to protect individual pine trees from mountain pine beetles in recreation sites on the following ranger districts of the Bridger-Teton National Forest:
June 11-12 Greys River Ranger District recreation areas and campgrounds
June 13 Greys River and Jackson Ranger District recreation areas and campgrounds
June 14 Pinedale recreation areas and campgrounds
June 15 Big Piney and Kemmerer Ranger Districts recreation areas and campgrounds
June 16 Kemmerer Ranger District and Hams Fork campground
These sites will be closed during spraying and reopened the following day. Signs will be posted at locations where work is occurring with information on the chemical used, closure period, including a potential time when the location can once again be used. Exposure of the public to Carbaryl spray, and verbenone packets should be minimal to non-existent.
Weather will affect the spraying schedule as application will not occur on windy or rainy days, nor will it be done within 75 feet of water. Picnic tables, fire pits and restroom doors will be covered with plastic during spraying.
For additional information on these spraying activities, contact Samuel Ainsley at 307-828-5107.
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