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(Alabama News Service) Alabama's economy is heavily supported by its forestry industry - but is facing a new challenge, with a widespread outbreak of the southern pine beetle.

This native pest is known for its ability to rapidly destroy pine trees.

The Alabama Forestry Commission reports that it has already affected numerous counties, particularly in the northern half of the state.

Drew Metzler, forest health coordinator at the commission, said the outbreak this year is the most widespread Alabama has seen since 2001.

"You may notice that a pine tree is green and then two weeks later it's completely brown," said Metzler. "That's the case this year in many areas. There's just so many beetles that they're able to physically girdle a tree and along with some other fungal associates that the beetles have are able to kill pine trees very rapidly."

Some of the worst infestations have been found in Bankhead National Forest and the Oakmulgee District of the Talladega National Forest.

But these beetles aren't just impacting Alabama. Metzler said neighboring states, such as Mississippi, Georgia, and South Carolina, are also experiencing outbreaks.

Metzlers said the beetles aren't just making their way through forests, but onto private land as well.

He said to combat the southern pine beetle outbreak, it's important to consider preventive measures. He cited steps landowners can take to reduce the risk of infestation and protect their pine trees.

"But the more landowners, more preventive measures that they can do - such as thinning, prescribed burning, just controlling the amount of growth in the understory as well," said Metzler, "that goes a long way to really reduce the risk of having issues with any bark-beetle species."

Metzler also highlighted the need for vigilance in spotting early signs of infestation, such as pitch tubes on the bark, to prevent further spread of the beetles.

More information on the infestations is on the Alabama Forestry Commission website.