Officials to warn Congress of beetle threat

[June 16, 2009]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Officials from Rocky Mountain states are urging Congress to help them avert a potential catastrophe this summer as they grapple with millions of acres of beetle-ravaged pines that are prone to fire.

The House Natural Resources Committee has scheduled a hearing Tuesday to hear from government and forestry experts about the threat from the mountain pine beetle. Gary Severson, executive director of the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments, said local officials have given up trying to stop the spread of the mountain pine beetle and are now trying prevent loss of life and property to fires they fear are inevitable. Million of acres of trees are dead or dying. Small towns, ski resorts, water supplies and electricity transmission lines are at risk. [Associated Press; By JOAN LOWY] Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.