The Department of Natural Resources released its Forest Health Highlights report, showing 545,000 acres of forest damage in 2024, an increase from the previous year.
Commissioner Dave Upthegrove emphasized the report’s role in making forest health issues accessible. “The Forest Health Highlights DNR publishes each year makes the long list of things impacting our forests accessible and understandable to everyone from land managers to casual recreators,” he said.
The report noted a significant western spruce budworm outbreak, affecting more than 63,500 acres, mainly in Whatcom, Skagit, and Okanogan counties.
Silver fir beetle damage also rose, impacting 2,900 acres, including North Cascades National Park and Snoqualmie Pass.
DNR entomologist Glenn Kohler highlighted the beetle’s visibility. “Silver fir beetle may not be responsible for the largest or most damaging impacts we see on an annual basis, but they can be some of the most visible,” Kohler said.
The California Fivespined Ips beetle continues to spread in urban forests from Bothell to Tacoma.
The report stresses the need for ongoing forest health monitoring and treatments.
