Is there a conspiracy? Were bark beetles dumped in the San Bernardino National Forest area by somebody trying to harm mountain residents and visitors?
No. Bark beetles and other tree-killing forest pests are a natural part of the San Bernardino National Forest. The outbreak of beetles is due to an unprecedented four -year drought. The most effective natural enemy of the bark beetle is tree sap. Because the trees are so parched, they are unable to produce the sap that kills the beetles, thus creating an epidemic number of tree killing bark beetles.
