FORT COLLINS - Many unburned dead or dying trees still contain mature pine beetles despite recent wildfires in Larimer County, the Colorado State Forest Service said Thursday.

The beetles will find stressed trees scorched by the fire during their flight this month in search of healthy new host trees, the forest service said.
Additionally, in burned areas, important trees already treated this year with protective chemicals may no longer be safe from pine beetles.

Chemical sprays exposed to high heat may have lost some, if not all of their effectiveness, according to the forest service. Reapplication of treatments may be necessary for living trees with scorched bark, but chemical sprays may not adhere as well to charred bark.

"The window of opportunity to apply or reapply preventive products this summer is rapidly closing," said Sky Stephens, forest entomologist for the forest service. "And no products are currently proven effective to save trees already impacted by mountain pine beetles."

Landowners with specific questions about preventive treatments can contact Stephens at (970) 491-6303.