George Wuerthner
…In nullifying the Roadless Rule, Secretary Rollins specifically justified her decision by suggesting it would allow “for fire prevention and responsible timber production.” She claims it will enable “responsible forest management,” which is code for more logging. The underlying cause of the increase in wildfires across the country is a warming climate. …“Extreme fire weather” is characterized by low humidity, drought, high temperatures, and high winds. …There are numerous examples where logging and prescribed burning have increased the spread of fires. Opening up the canopy by logging dries out soils and surface fuels. It also permits greater wind penetration. …The second problem with this approach is that embers tossed by high winds can go through, over, and around any “fuel treatments.” A third problem is that the majority of urban home destruction is the result of grass or shrub fires, not forest blazes.
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