Forest Service and California Fires
Nov 16, 2018 10:45:26 #
My father-in-law was a forester. In fact, he was the dean of forestry at a large forestry school. Years ago he complained about a change in the Forestry Service brought about by pressure from environmental groups. In the past, the Forestry Service had conducted controlled burns. Fire is a natural part of forest life and in the past the Forest Service was proactive in managing controlled burns in order to keep the amount of combustible material manageable, for one thing. Part of California's problem is that it has been lax in keeping up with controlled burns and is now paying the price, as seen in this article from a San Francisco newspaper.
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2018/08/03/lack-of-controlled-burns-contributing-to-california-wildfires/
https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2018/08/03/lack-of-controlled-burns-contributing-to-california-wildfires/
Nov 16, 2018 10:58:38 #
This is more likely the cause of the larger risk than climate change...
SteveR wrote:
My father-in-law was a forester. In fact, he was ... (show quote)
Nov 16, 2018 11:24:51 #
Nov 16, 2018 12:02:21 #
Only 2% of California's forests are controlled by the State the other 98% of the forests within the State fall under the US Federal Government.
Nov 16, 2018 12:56:19 #
ken_stern wrote:
Only 2% of California's forests are controlled by the State the other 98% of the forests within the State fall under the US Federal Government.
The Forest Service is federal, so I was speaking about the U.S. Forest Service's approach to controlled burns in the past few decades.
Nov 16, 2018 14:15:19 #
SteveR wrote:
The Forest Service is federal, so I was speaking about the U.S. Forest Service's approach to controlled burns in the past few decades.
Steve -- It's refreshing to see you have it right ---
Nov 16, 2018 16:00:40 #
Screamin Scott wrote:
This is more likely the cause of the larger risk than climate change...
it's a combination - past practice + warmer/drier weather -- CA's had severe drought in 6 past 7 years, making larger fires more devastating - in the past fall-winter rains would reduce fires - now we have these major blazes throughout the year
Nov 16, 2018 16:08:16 #
SteveR wrote:
The Forest Service is federal, so I was speaking about the U.S. Forest Service's approach to controlled burns in the past few decades.
It sure sounded like you were blaming California.
Nov 16, 2018 20:57:46 #
JohnSwanda wrote:
It sure sounded like you were blaming California.
Read my original post. The Forest Service is part of the Department of Agriculture.
Nov 16, 2018 21:16:33 #
SteveR wrote:
Read my original post. The Forest Service is part of the Department of Agriculture.
I guess the "it" in the line, "Part of California's problem is that it has been lax" was referring to the Forest Service then, but it looks like it was referring to California.
Nov 16, 2018 21:36:33 #
"Part of California's problem is that it has been lax in keeping up with controlled burns and is now paying the price, as seen in this article from a San Francisco newspaper."
The above quote is why I responded ------
So in reality "IT has been lax" actually refers to the United States Of America
The above quote is why I responded ------
So in reality "IT has been lax" actually refers to the United States Of America
Nov 16, 2018 22:17:12 #
JohnSwanda wrote:
I guess the "it" in the line, "Part of California's problem is that it has been lax" was referring to the Forest Service then, but it looks like it was referring to California.
To be clear "it" should have been replaced with "Forest Service," which was, if you read the entire paragraph, the target of the paragraph. If you only read that particular sentence I can understand your confusion. The Forest Service had it right in the first place but bent under pressure to environmental groups. Split the blame between them.
As far as California goes....you don't think it knew exactly what was happening within its borders?
The point is that perhaps going forth controlled burns deserve a rethink.
Nov 16, 2018 23:48:47 #
Oh yes for sure ---
There are a bunch of things going on that deserve a real good rethink
There are a bunch of things going on that deserve a real good rethink
Nov 17, 2018 06:29:30 #
This article explains better.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/californias-paradise-lost-1542068600?mod=hp_opin_pos1
https://www.wsj.com/articles/californias-paradise-lost-1542068600?mod=hp_opin_pos1
Nov 17, 2018 06:35:07 #
edwdickinson wrote:
This article explains better.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/californias-paradise-lost-1542068600?mod=hp_opin_pos1
https://www.wsj.com/articles/californias-paradise-lost-1542068600?mod=hp_opin_pos1
Can't read it without a subscription.
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