|
Discovery Communications Inc.
The
largest ever outbreak of mountain pine beetle has prompted
a state of emergency in Canada's pacific province of British
Columbia.
Although
half of the beetles are normally killed off by winter cold,
two years of mild winters have quadrupled the insects' population.
Almost 3,400 workers are cutting down diseased trees and
destroying them at lumber mills.
The
epidemic has affected vast areas of pine trees, according
to a report from the North Central Municipal Association.
"Communities in affected areas join with the industry
in declaring this epidemic a state of emergency," the
association said.
The
market value of the afflicted area is about $2.2 billion.
Pine
trees account for half of the timber grown across the province's
14 million acres of forest.
|
