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NOVA SCOTIA — A small, targeted area of spruce and fir forest in northwestern Cape Breton will be treated this June as part of an early intervention strategy to stop rising spruce budworm populations before they become a widespread outbreak that can severely increase the risk of forest fires. “By acting early in a small, focused area, we can help prevent much larger impacts on Nova Scotia’s forests in the years ahead,” said Kyle MacQuarrie, Ministerial Assistant for Natural Resources. “Other parts of the country have recently seen the devastation the spruce budworm can have on their forests, and the risk it poses for forest fires. We want to be proactive in managing the effect of this species on our province.” The spruce budworm has historically been the most destructive softwood forest pest across North America, causing more damage to Nova Scotia softwood forests than any other insect.