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Blackened Forests Near Pittsburgh: Likely Fire Scarring

Question: Driving through Pittsburgh, saw blackened, dead trees on highways. Pine needles brown, trunks black. What causes this? Will it reach Maine?

Answer

Almost certainly a forest fire. Fire scorches pines (browning needles) and chars hardwood trunks black. No known disease or insect causes such uniform blackening. Maine's different climate and species make spread unlikely.

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