CAL FIRE Publishes Reference Guide for Pests Threatening Forests in California

July 1, 2026 – CAL FIRE’s Forest Entomology and Pathology Program recently published a new Reference Guide for Understanding Key Pests in California, providing land managers and resource professionals with a practical and easy-to-use resource to identify key forest pests, understand their impacts, and implement effective response strategies. California’s rural and urban forests face increasing threats from native and invasive insects and pathogens, driven by climate change, prolonged drought, and the movement of people and goods. This reference guide pulls together resources to address forest pest management as warmer temperatures and environmental stress weaken trees, forest pests are expanding into new areas, degrading forest health, increasing wildfire risk, and impacting watersheds and biodiversity.