In the Pacific Northwest, Douglas firs, one of North America’s most important tree species is dying at an alarming rate. …Experts blame insect attacks, drought and increased temperatures caused by climate change. Decades of fire suppression have exacerbated problems. …The crisis in Oregon shows the critical importance of forest management as climate change alters the natural world. Foresters say that, in many cases, they need to cut down Douglas firs, whether dead or alive, in order to minimize wildfire risk, promote forest health and help ecosystems adapt to the shifting climate. Their plans include selling some salvageable timber. …The B.L.M. is proposing a multiyear project called the Strategic Operations for Safety plan, known as S.O.S., to log both living and dead trees. …As forests become less healthy, researchers say, leaving them undisturbed will in many cases make them more prone to severe wildfires and more vulnerable to drought stress and disease. [A subscription to the New York Times is required for full access to this article]