Does Wildfire Likelihood or Severity Increase Following Insect Outbreaks in Conifer Forests of the Pacific Northwest

This webinar examines the complex relationship between insect outbreaks and subsequent wildfire dynamics in the Pacific Northwest. By analyzing decades of data on the mountain pine beetle and the western spruce budworm, this webinar challenges the common campfire hypothesis that dead trees inevitably lead to more frequent or more intense fires. The findings reveal that insect activity does not consistently increase fire likelihood and often results in lower burn severity because the insects act as a natural thinning agent that reduces available fuel over time. Overall, this study suggests that while these native disturbances significantly alter the landscape, they do not constitute a regional fire hazard or an immediate forest health crisis requiring aggressive management intervention.