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With cooler temps, Alabama’s national forests are backdrops for many hikers, campers, and hunters who enjoy outdoor recreation. The natural environment is different this year, and USDA Forest Service officials are advising the public to plan ahead, be aware, and be alert while visiting recreation areas.

Numerous pine trees are dead and severely stressed because of southern pine beetle outbreaks spreading throughout the Bankhead and Talladega national forests, located in north, northeast, and northwest Alabama.

The southern pine beetle is a native, non-invasive species that causes structural defects to trees, making them likely to fall in whole or in part. 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. “We are reminding national forest visitors to be vigilant, to look up, down, and around.”

Safety tips are on the National Forests in Alabama Know Before You Go page.

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.

Southern pine beetles 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 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 of weeks,” said Alabama State Forester Rick Oates. “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, call 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/.