Fire-It's Coming to A Forest Near You

Patriot Trading Group ^ | June 24, 2002 | Mariah Wilson

[Justanumba]

Fire-It's Coming to A Forest Near You

Mariah Wilson (c) 2002 mariahwilson@yahoo.com

Do you love the Mountain West? The incomparable scenic vistas? The incredible parks? The way the wind rustles through the trees? Do you have special forest places that you like to visit again and again? Do you love it so much that you live in the mountains? That you built your whole life around the experience of living with trees, flora and fauna?

Well, take a good look at it while you can. In fact, better take a trip this summer. Don't put it off. Don't wait. Take a look at what's left of the magnificent Mountain West. And take a look at what's gone as well, if you have the stomach for it.

I remember Yellowstone before the fires. You know I just flat out loved that park. The last time I was there 10 years after it burned, I cried the whole time. I couldn't wait to get out of the Park to private property, where people protect and care for the land rather than allowing it to be destroyed by something entirely preventable.

I saw the Bandolier National Monument and the forests around Los Alamos before that fire. I drank of their beauty. They are gone now, irretrievably, utterly gone. It takes 150-200 years to replace a forest devastated by wildfire. We will never get them back in our lifetime.

I saw Pike's Peak in Colorado and the whole area that has now burned. I marveled at its glory, it's elegant pageantry. I have to say goodbye to it now. I can hardly bear to lose it. It is almost beyond imagining that poor forest management has destroyed this area. I have wonderful photographs that I took. Not that I could stand to look at them now.

Oh, and don't get me started on the White Mountains of Arizona. I drove through them a couple of years ago, and wondered why I had not visited them before; they were such a special, unique place. Little did I know, that I was seeing them in their splendor for the last time.

I can't leave out the incomparable Bitterroot Valley in Montana or the wilderness areas that burned in the North Cascades, where I live in the mountains, surrounded by Federal and State forests that need thinning desperately, with no access roads, firebreaks, or any sort of proper land management going on. Believe me, the entire Mountain West is like this. It is a disgrace that this has been allowed to happen. I've been there. I've seen it. The Federal Government has sucked up all the prime mountain property under their control. They and environmentalists have teamed up to sign a death warrant on our National Heritage.

When I need balm for my spirit or a lift for my mind, I like to hit the road and explore the Mountain West. It is one of my most cherished past times. But, next time you see a beautiful forest, one that makes your heart sing, one that fills you with that indescribable love of country, one that imbues you with the joy that you live on God's green earth, be sure you take a good, long look at it and be sure that your children do as well. Because that forest may not be there next summer, or the summer after that. There's a good chance that it will be gone forever. Gone in flames. We are losing our forests and hopefully people will wake up and realize who is to blame.

[SierraWasp]

"Do you think I will be banned?"

Heck yeah, if'n they kin run ya down an restle ya to the groun and jam that little banned around yer ancle like some rare an endagerous burd, er sumthin like that.

Hay Carry, don't yew be jammin me... I'm on a roll tanite!!!

[Justanumba]

Thanks for the thinning information. I believe that we have the knowledge to make a forest completely fire resistant. Many of the private landowners here are doing just that. Now if we could get the Feds to get our public lands back into private hands since they obviously have shown they are completely incapable of taking care of it.

[Carry_Okie]

They don't grow as thick either, at least in terms of total mass. I've seen some horrible Ponderosa pine forests lately.

Like this one:

Or this one:

Instead of this one (which got logged):

[Justanumba]

Heck yeah, if'n they kin run ya down an restle ya to the groun and jam that little banned around yer ancle like some rare an endagerous burd, er sumthin like that.

LOL. In my worst nightmares I think they have something like that planned for all of us! You are on a roll.

[Carry_Okie]

I believe that we have the knowledge to make a forest completely fire resistant.

I think perfecting habitat management will be forever an elusive goal, and that it's a wonderful thing that it will so remain. Circumstances will change, new technology will provide us new tools, events will present new challenges.

God's perfect playground.

Now if we could get the Feds to get our public lands back into private hands since they obviously have shown they are completely incapable of taking care of it.

Wanna help?

[Carry_Okie]

Hay Carry, don't yew be jammin me... I'm on a roll tanite!!!

I'm not jammin ya, I'm bannin ya, thusly...

[Carry_Okie]

So you see, you're not being banned for being on a roll...

Your being banned with a roll-on.

[dixiechick2000]

Oh, mah! Ya' tawk better'n ah do!

Now, ya've done give me tha vapahs!

;o)

[Justanumba]

Yeah, if you're going to thin, you have to log. Clear areas are good as well. They stop fires dead and give you room to stage a battle if you need to. Twenty something years ago I was a forestry major in school. They were still teaching some common sense.

Now, they seem to learn some witless propaganda like "Mother Nature will take care of everything if we just give all the land to the government". Of course, it's government schools teaching this mind set.

[dixiechick2000]

" That gave me the best laugh I've had all day."

Glad to have been of service.
We aim to please!

It's a Southern thing! ;o)

[dixiechick2000]

BTW, this is a beautiful post. As a Southerner transplanted to the great Northwest, I have come to appreciate the beauty of the terrain in Oregon. IMO, there is no place more beautiful on God's green earth, especially in the summer. It's a real shame to watch it burn as we have, especially in the last 5 or 6 years.

[Justanumba]

Gee, instead of replying to you, I replied to myself. I must be getting sleepy sweating over a hot computer. Sometimes I have just nodded out with my fingers still on the keys. I wake up poised for action!

What's the plan?

[Carry_Okie]

I will respond by freepmail.

[Carry_Okie]

Ware did he go?

Didst he takes me siriuslee err watt?

[Justanumba]

Well after you applied that BAN to him I think he just passed out. Either that or he died laughing. I know I almost did.

I'm going to study your stuff some more and stay in touch.

[AuntB]

Too late. Many of "my places" are gone and still burning tonight. Where I followed my dad around at 5 years of age.... Where my kids and I camped. .... The beautiful canopy of trees when I was 18 and...nevermind :<).

Just believe me, So. Oregon is a burned up mess and I've finally gotten the "lung and nose thing" going from over a month of smoke and ash and it all just in general ticks me off! Thanks for the article, Justanumba, good to see you!

[AuntB]

Oh, that's good. I like that. I'll probably steal it you know.

[AuntB]

Whah???? Man, I knew I've been nipping the cough syrup too much, but what kind of lingo is that Carry??Actually, I'm feeling pretty swell considering I've got the most yukky cold I've had in years thanks to our tree sitting freaky little friends and their looney politicians.

See post # 8. I like it. Don't you like it?

[Carry_Okie]

It's concise all right.

[AuntB]

Wow, everyone is awake tonight! Did Rosemary ever contact you?? She's all hyped up between Pres. Bush being in town and getting ready to air in NY on 9/ll....Remind me shortly after that if you haven't heard from her.