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Do you not understand what a "backfire" is, how it works, and why it was effective? (Backfires are a standard wildfire-control tool.)
There already was a dangerous wildfire burning, and the BLM had neither equipment nor personnel at the fire site to fight it.
The only way the (very few in number) ranchers could stop the wildfire was with a backfire. They used it -- and it worked.
Instad of prosecuting them as terrorists, the BLM should have honored them as heroes -- for stopping the wildfire.
I’ve been told they also were poaching and using fire as an evidence destroyer. There’s a lot of info flying around and it’s tough to discern the facts.
I distrust the government to begin with, so my own bias may hinder me.
I lived in Southern California for 17 years (quite some time ago).
Whenever there was a wildfire, it was common practice for the local fire departments in Southern California to start a backfire as a means of depriving the approaching wildfire of fuel, thus slowing down the advancing wildfire.
Like you said, backfires are used as a wild-fire control tool.
“”The only way the (very few in number) ranchers could stop the wildfire was with a backfire. They used it — and it worked. “”
You don’t set a back fire behind firefighter while they’re in front of the fire. They’re lucky nobody got trapped in between.
Yep.
But gubmint doesn't like people who get 'er done without them.