The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is holding public consultations on its plan to combat the jack pine budworm infestation in the Kenora district.
The government is considering a number of options including:
-no treatment
-accelerated harvest
-redirected harvest
-salvage harvest
-prescribed burns
-the use of insecticides
-other controls (e.g. bait traps)
-appropriate combinations of other options.
The MNRF notes based on the severity and extent of the outbreak, the planning team has determined an aerial spray with an insecticide will likely be required in selected areas.
Officials stress this would be an efficient and safe way to protect our trees and reduce the threat of forest fires.
The province says since 2017, the current jack pine budworm infestation has damaged 1,033,378 hectares of forest in Kenora, Dryden, Wabigoon, Trout Lake, Whiskey Jack, Red Lake, Whitefeather, Lace Seul, Caribou and English River Forests.
Here is the schedule of the Information sessions: (*ALL TIMES 3:00pm-7:00pm. Venues: Royal Canadian Legions)
Ear Falls: January 28th
Dryden: January 29th
Sioux Lookout: January 30th
Ignace: February 4th
For more information, visit https://ero.ontario.ca/notice/019-1110
