This is valuable information, Ed, for what is an ever growing concern-wildfires-due to climate change. Long ago First Peoples employed controlled burns for forest management. US Forest Service was advised to follow suit but scoffed at the notion. Ex-President Trump advocated for residents in or near such forests to rake the forest floors.
Hurricane Michael, 2018, devastated vast numbers of pines in a multi state area of SE US. Ultimately, after the loss of timber and pulp value due to fungal attack, some trees were converted to fuel pellets which were still being used to fuel power generating plants both here and in Europe. Emission concerns have curtailed such use today.
I hope for success from the efforts you outlined. Allowing these events to destroy National Parks and Forests, destruction of entire towns, and to drive away tourists is inexcusable.
Thank you, Gary, for your insightful and thoughtful response. Your reflections on the historical practices of controlled burns by First Peoples and the evolution of forest management strategies are incredibly valuable to the ongoing conversation.
The wisdom of Indigenous practices, such as controlled burns, has long been recognized for its effectiveness in maintaining healthy forests. It's unfortunate that such knowledge was not always heeded by modern forest management agencies.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Michael and the subsequent use of damaged timber for fuel pellets is a poignant reminder of the complex challenges we face in balancing resource use and environmental protection. While emission concerns have curtailed the use of fuel pellets, it still underscores the need for innovative and sustainable solutions.
I share your hope for the success of the efforts outlined in the article. It is inexcusable to allow wildfires to destroy our National Parks, forests, and communities. By learning from past practices and embracing comprehensive forest management strategies, we can better protect our natural resources and ensure their resilience for future generations.
Thank you again for your engagement and for sharing your perspectives. Together, we can advocate for and implement the changes needed to safeguard our precious environment.
I note two tragic events (at least) in your post. Arson for obvious reasons. While it seems forest management requires orderly burns, arson is malicious and must be investigated and prosecuted. I have watched the pine beetle infestation over many years especially in the hills and mountains of Tennessee where I traveled to visit family. More and more trees in massive areas simply died, turned black and stood in place as permanent scars on the lovely roadsides along the way. The infestation continued to move north apparently and found its way to Canada. Where did this terrible insect originate and how did it take over the dominate pines and wipe out so very many? Your article suggests these dead trees should have been burned to allow new growth. It would have been a massive undertaking from what I observed sadly passing through. To the smaller wildlife who are unable to escape wildfires and risk extinction, my heart breaks 💔. We must learn and implement better land management skills both for the beauty and necessity of habitat to protect wildlife of all kinds. In our forever changing landscape we seem to just allow destruction without appropriate intervention. We are indeed not the optimal caretakers of this beautiful earth 🌎 or its inhabitants.
Thank you, Judith! Your observations and concerns are deeply appreciated. You're absolutely right that arson is a malicious act that must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to prevent further harm to our precious forests and wildlife. The pine beetle infestation, which has wreaked havoc on forests from Tennessee to Canada, is a complex issue. These beetles originate from North America and have thrived due to warmer temperatures and drought conditions, which weaken trees and make them more susceptible to infestation.
The challenge of managing these dead trees is immense, as you've observed during your travels. While prescribed burns and other forest management practices can help, the scale of the problem often requires significant resources and coordination. But the cost of not removing dead trees through logging and controlled fires is much more immense.
Your empathy for the smaller wildlife that suffer during these wildfires is moving. It underscores the urgent need for better land management practices to protect both the beauty and the ecological integrity of our landscapes. We must strive to be better caretakers of this beautiful earth and its inhabitants.
Thank you again for sharing your insights and for your commitment to environmental stewardship. Together, we can advocate for and implement the changes needed to safeguard our natural world.
The haze in Minnesota from Canadian wildfires is a constant reminder of the devestation nature endures - so much of it stemming from humans. Ugh
This is valuable information, Ed, for what is an ever growing concern-wildfires-due to climate change. Long ago First Peoples employed controlled burns for forest management. US Forest Service was advised to follow suit but scoffed at the notion. Ex-President Trump advocated for residents in or near such forests to rake the forest floors.
Hurricane Michael, 2018, devastated vast numbers of pines in a multi state area of SE US. Ultimately, after the loss of timber and pulp value due to fungal attack, some trees were converted to fuel pellets which were still being used to fuel power generating plants both here and in Europe. Emission concerns have curtailed such use today.
I hope for success from the efforts you outlined. Allowing these events to destroy National Parks and Forests, destruction of entire towns, and to drive away tourists is inexcusable.
Thank you, Gary, for your insightful and thoughtful response. Your reflections on the historical practices of controlled burns by First Peoples and the evolution of forest management strategies are incredibly valuable to the ongoing conversation.
The wisdom of Indigenous practices, such as controlled burns, has long been recognized for its effectiveness in maintaining healthy forests. It's unfortunate that such knowledge was not always heeded by modern forest management agencies.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Michael and the subsequent use of damaged timber for fuel pellets is a poignant reminder of the complex challenges we face in balancing resource use and environmental protection. While emission concerns have curtailed the use of fuel pellets, it still underscores the need for innovative and sustainable solutions.
I share your hope for the success of the efforts outlined in the article. It is inexcusable to allow wildfires to destroy our National Parks, forests, and communities. By learning from past practices and embracing comprehensive forest management strategies, we can better protect our natural resources and ensure their resilience for future generations.
Thank you again for your engagement and for sharing your perspectives. Together, we can advocate for and implement the changes needed to safeguard our precious environment.
I note two tragic events (at least) in your post. Arson for obvious reasons. While it seems forest management requires orderly burns, arson is malicious and must be investigated and prosecuted. I have watched the pine beetle infestation over many years especially in the hills and mountains of Tennessee where I traveled to visit family. More and more trees in massive areas simply died, turned black and stood in place as permanent scars on the lovely roadsides along the way. The infestation continued to move north apparently and found its way to Canada. Where did this terrible insect originate and how did it take over the dominate pines and wipe out so very many? Your article suggests these dead trees should have been burned to allow new growth. It would have been a massive undertaking from what I observed sadly passing through. To the smaller wildlife who are unable to escape wildfires and risk extinction, my heart breaks 💔. We must learn and implement better land management skills both for the beauty and necessity of habitat to protect wildlife of all kinds. In our forever changing landscape we seem to just allow destruction without appropriate intervention. We are indeed not the optimal caretakers of this beautiful earth 🌎 or its inhabitants.
Thank you, Judith! Your observations and concerns are deeply appreciated. You're absolutely right that arson is a malicious act that must be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to prevent further harm to our precious forests and wildlife. The pine beetle infestation, which has wreaked havoc on forests from Tennessee to Canada, is a complex issue. These beetles originate from North America and have thrived due to warmer temperatures and drought conditions, which weaken trees and make them more susceptible to infestation.
The challenge of managing these dead trees is immense, as you've observed during your travels. While prescribed burns and other forest management practices can help, the scale of the problem often requires significant resources and coordination. But the cost of not removing dead trees through logging and controlled fires is much more immense.
Your empathy for the smaller wildlife that suffer during these wildfires is moving. It underscores the urgent need for better land management practices to protect both the beauty and the ecological integrity of our landscapes. We must strive to be better caretakers of this beautiful earth and its inhabitants.
Thank you again for sharing your insights and for your commitment to environmental stewardship. Together, we can advocate for and implement the changes needed to safeguard our natural world.