Free Republic

LOS ANGELES, Aug 19, 2002 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- With President Bush expected this week to call for a scaling back of overgrown forests that have turned into fire hazards, the Wilderness Society said Monday that the environmental movement should not be blamed for wildfires that have burned through nearly 6 million acres this year. The organization issued a statement denying charges from some western lawmakers that environmentalists have used legal challenges to derail efforts to clear out forest areas thick with tinder-dry brush and small trees and, instead, argued that the U.S. Forest Service was too...

Fires burning across Oregon The Associated Press, 8/18/02 11:20 AM Major wildfires were burning on about 540,699 acres in Oregon on Sunday. About 9,801 firefighters were working in the state. The Northwest Interagency Communication Center is tracking six major fires in Oregon. Top priorities for fire officials Sunday were the Biscuit fire, covering 435,654 acres, the 53,900-acre Tiller Complex, and the 1,953-acre East Antelope Fire, east of Ashland. BISCUIT FIRE (formerly called Florence Fire; name changed on 8/11/02) Started: Florence fire started 26 miles west of Grant Pass, 07/13/02; Sour Biscuit started 17 miles southwest of Cave Junction. Size: 435,654...

<p>GRANTS PASS, Ore.  — The nation's largest active wildfire grew to about 333,890 acres early Saturday, making it Oregon's largest wildfire in over a century.</p> <p>The blaze in the Siskiyou National Forest and adjoining lands in southwestern Oregon and Northern California is now larger than the 1933 Tillamook Fire, which burned 311,000 acres.</p>

Fires Spread Plant Damage, Disease, Ore-gone Eco Terrorists's View of Fire Fighting 08/10/2002 By GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press Writer The Lemmingsworth Gulch Research Natural Area would be a wonderful place to make a last stand against a raging wildfire -- it's wet, boggy and flat, without many trees. But when fire officials suggested building a fireline through the 818-acre site to help contain the massive Florence Fire, ecologist Dr. Tom Atzet balked. The federally designated area contains at least three sensitive plant species, including the fly-eating Cobra lily, and serves as a crucial research spot. "That research area has a...

Uncontrolled wildfires destroying tens of thousands of acres of pristine forestland in southern Oregon and threatening scores of homes, farms and ranches are now raging very close to WorldNetDaily's secluded corporate headquarters, forcing evacuation of all personnel and vital equipment. The so-called "Florence" fire, ignited by lightning almost two weeks ago, has already consumed over 18,000 acres of tinder-dry forest and remains totally uncontained despite the efforts of 500 firefighters. "Our primary concern right now is for the safety of our employees and their fight to save their own homes," said Joseph Farah, editor and chief executive officer of WorldNetDaily....

Officials say large fires may merge By 7/19/02 10:34 AM PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) -- Two of the largest wildfires in southern Oregon had nearly merged Friday as the total acreage burned since lightning strikes touched off blazes around the state last weekend reached 191,000 acres. The Tool Box Complex and the Winter Complex were being closely monitored as crews were trying to stop flames from crossing Oregon Highway 31 and heading east into the high desert. The Toolbox Fire had burned 44,300 acres by Thursday night near the town of Paisley north of Klamath Falls. The blaze had spread to...