<p>O'BRIEN, Ore. (AP) -- Fire isn't the only thing threatening fragile forests this summer -- firefighting itself can threaten endangered plants, or spread plant diseases.</p>
<p>The Lemmingsworth Gulch Research Natural Area would be a wonderful place to cut a fire line to block a huge blaze in southwestern Oregon -- it's wet and flat, without many trees. But when fire officials suggested doing that through the 818-acre site, Forest Service ecologist Tom Atzet urged them to look elsewhere.</p>