COMMENTARY

This editorial has been prompted by a letter to the editor recently submitted expressing gratitude for the efforts of some in trying to protect the community from a devastating fire here as well as around the country, a fire that has burned people out of their property or homes.

This has become the scenario over the past few years where fire traumatizes the Pacific Northwest each summer due to, in my opinion, poor forest management by agencies in charge of overseeing the vast forested, government–owned land.

Logging ceased in the late 1980s, grazing was limited, and the wolf being introduced back into the forests (178 wolves in 29 packs concentrated in northeastern Washington and 80-100 wolf packs in the northern regions of Idaho), along with an over population of cougar in both states (3,700 according to latest count), which have killed off the majority of grazing animals, have led to a disastrous combination. We have seen through environmental research, now, that these predators have drastically minimized wild grazing game, allowing foliage to re-established along the river banks and on the forest floor. This all leads to fuel for summer fires.

What of logging? All logging in the private sector is regulated by the Forest Practices Act (chapter 76.09 RCW) enacted in 1973, and Department of Natural Resources (DNR). This act, ensures that logging is done in a manner that will preserve and protect our fish, wildlife, forests and streams, overrules all other regulations on the books locally. In addition, the State Board of Forestry (Oregon and California) and Forest Practices Board (Washington) and Fire Protection, which is a study researching the effects of fires on our forests, enforces more rules that supposedly protects our forests.

During the time of logging (1848–1980s), forest fires were minimal and if they did happen, firefighters’ task was to extinguish it as promptly as possible, not let it burn, as is the practice now days. This unreasonable approach to forest management (or lack of) leads to not only property loss but hazardous living conditions. People are becoming sick from the smoke from these fires, which heavily settles upon us creating an unhealthy breathing environment. We have lost enjoyment of living in God’s country due to unreasonable forest management since the 80s, thanks to governmental agencies intervention and policies.