It was hard to get pictures of the pine beetle infestation, as it was very hazy. Here's one. I would estimate that about a third of the lodgepole pine trees in some areas are visibly affected. And that doesn't mean that the others aren't. Diseased trees may still be green one year, and won't turn "red" until the following year. Then they turn grey and their needles start to fall to the ground.

I heard a scientist from the Forestry Department of the University of BC on CBC radio talking about the need to clean up yard debris to control forest fires. When asked if the dead trees contributed to the danger, he lapsed into typical scientific jargon, like "it's not clear," and such phrases. It's so frustrating to hear this kind of talk. You don't have to be a genius to know that the huge masses of dead trees form a massive tinderbox, just waiting for lightening to strike the match.

The fire season has begun early this year. I can't imaging what it's going to be like in August.