Mountain pine beetle populations began building in the Kootenai National Forest in 1972. Infestations now encompass an estimated 48,599 acres of lodgepole pine type and 615 acres of ponderosa pine type. Approximately 25 percent of the high-risk stands, 17 percent of the moderate-risk, and less than 1 percent of the low-risk stands are infested. Newly attacked trees averaged 10 per acre. Infestations have the potential to intensify in high-risk stands, with some increase in moderate- and low-risk stands. Predicted trends, plus management alternatives to prevent and/or reduce infestation severity, are discussed.