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1999-2015 mountain pine beetle outbreak

Last updated on January 30, 2025

Mountain pine beetle is a natural disturbance factor in pine forests of B.C. Historical outbreaks are expected and normal part of lodgepole pine ecosystems. The most recent large outbreak occurred from 1999 to 2015.

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Recent outbreak

The most recent mountain pine beetle outbreak was larger and more severe than previous historic recorded outbreaks for this insect. In the late 1990s, a large outbreak of mountain pine beetles impacted over 18 million hectares of pine forests in B.C. The area impacted by the mountain pine beetle has declined significantly since 2004. However, B.C. continues to recognize the importance of mountain pine beetle in forestry.

Key facts 

  • The spread of mountain pine beetle increased through the late 1990s and early 2000s. The outbreak peaked  in 2004 affecting over 18 million hectares of pine forests in B.C.
  • During the last outbreak, mountain pine beetle infestations expanded beyond the historic range for this species into north-eastern B.C. and into northern Alberta
  • Mountain pine beetle expanded into a new host tree species, Jack pine, in Alberta. Although the beetle can survive in this new host,  further expansion has slowed across Canada.
  • Contributors to mountain pine beetle outbreaks are large areas of susceptible host trees and favourable climate conditions for beetle development.

History of Mountain Pine Beetle Infestation in B.C. (PDF, 445KB)

Principal conclusions

  • The worst year of observed red-attack, at a provincial scale, was 2005 with approximately 140 million m3 attacked
  • The volume of red-attack pine has declined rapidly, at a provincial scale, since 2005
  • Approximately 731 million m3 (54%) of B.C.'s merchantable pine volume has likely been killed (red- and grey-attack), which includes approximately 1 million m3 observed as red-attack in summer 2015

Guidance

The annual volume of timber killed by the mountain pine beetle has been declining since 2004. However, B.C. must continue managing this insect to protect its forests for the future.

Action plans

The 2006 to 2011 Mountain Pine Beetle Action Plan guided provincial responses and helped coordinate government, communities, industries and First Nations. It addressed forestry and environmental issues as well as economic, social and cultural sustainability.