Avalanche Debris Could Attract More Bark Beetles

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ASPEN, Colo. (AP) -- Avalanche debris in Colorado's high country could provide fresh breeding grounds for forest-destroying bark beetles. But one U.S. Forest Service supervisor says there's little the agency can do to mitigate the threat.

The spruce beetle (credit: for.gov.bc.ca)

Scott Fitzwilliams is supervisor of the White National Forest. He tells The Aspen Times that downed spruce can be a perfect breeding ground for spruce beetles.

Heavy snowpack unleashed a series of avalanches over the winter that downed spruce and aspen trees in numerous areas.

Crews clear beetle kill trees along the Colorado Trail in Summit County. (credit: CBS)