The hot and dry summer has once again been favourable for the spread of spruce bark beetles. Research indicates that currently in Kurzeme, especially along the coast where pine stands are more prevalent, the spread of spruce bark beetles is lower; however, an increase in the insect population has also been observed in many places across Kurzeme this summer. They have by no means gone into hibernation yet, so they continue to be active in spruce trees, leaving behind stands of dead spruce. (...)