November 2, 2003

Wildfires a Disaster That Can Be Minimized

Wildfires in southern California are the worst in its history – forcing us to rethink our relationship to Mother Nature. Neophyte environmentalists take notes.

Statistics are sobering. Acreage equal to that of Rhode Island are scorched. As this is written, 3,100 homes have been destroyed. Twenty people, including one of 13,000 firefighters, have burned to death. Cost estimates start at $2 billion but likely will double before the horror ends.

Astoundingly, four of the 20 fire locations were started by arsonists. Californians may want to re-think their capital punishment law to permit burning at the stake for convicted firebugs.

 The number of trees destroyed is beyond counting. Tree huggers are in terminal shock. Serves them right. The loss of timber by wildfire is a hundred times worse than the loss of pine trees that might have been lumbered off for jobs, homes, trade and a realistic environment.

The lumber industry has been unfairly blamed for supposed sins against the environment. Number one on the evil parade is "clear cutting" – that is, whacking down every tree on a given section of forest.

Clear cutting certainly is not forest friendly. Yet, it is more benign than a forest fire. When commercial timber is logged off, many saplings are left to grow and seedlings are planted. Forests ravaged by fire also re-sprout from pinecones that insulate seeds, but this process is longer range.

Self-regeneration, however, is moot. The lumber companies, by and large, went to selective cutting years ago. Tree huggers can take some credit in hastening the process. It’s time to get realistic about here and now.

There is a vast forest resource in the United States. Airline travelers marvel at the thousands of miles of untouched forests they fly over.

No matter how fast we cut down trees -- in total, new ones take root just as fast.

Federal and state governments can lead in sensible, forest management.

Forty percent of the land in the United States is publicly owned. If environuts would get over their Bush-phobia they would recognize that logging alternate sections of forest limits the size of wildfires.

Opening public forests with unpaved roads create firebreaks. These confine wildfires started naturally by lightning, carelessly by campers or deliberately by societal misfits.

Old forests are the first to go. Trees die a natural death, as do we. They should be thinned out selectively before they fall and provide tinder for any spark that comes along.  

In short, trees have a finite, useful life. Forest fires happen. Either we manage the forests safely and productively, or destructive forces prevail by do-nothing policies.

Good forest management is paramount. There are some other sensible practices that Californians are learning the hard way.

If you build a home near two pine trees, you are liable for wildfire troubles. Pine trees – saturated with highly flammable rosin -- are explosions waiting to happen. They look and smell great – and sound mellifluous in a wind.

Ah, the wind! There’s the problem. Tiny pine-needle torches waft easily in a breeze. A lot of lit pine needles create a "fire storm."

California is wedged between deserts and the ocean. When moist sea breezes flow inland, folks think they have died and gone to heaven. When hot, dry Santa Ana winds rush westward, folks think – well, you can imagine what they think.

Californians don’t think enough of employing masonry walls and tile roofs when they squeeze homes into piney woods. Pines are for commerce. Orange trees and palms are the best leafy neighbors in dry southern climes.

Environmental stewardship can only mitigate the vagaries of nature. A four-year drought in southern California set the stage for calamity. When these occur, those of us spared have an obligation to rush in aid and comfort.

There but for the caprice of nature go we.

PARTING SHOTS

California Gov. Gray Davis is a man who had greatness thrust upon him and ducked.

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Jeffery Loria, owner of the Florida Marlins, says he won’t sell his stars as the previous owner did after winning the 1997 World "Serious." Nonetheless, it is unlikely that Miami will build a proposed stadium while Yankees owner George Steinbrenner is shopping for new players.

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The House Office Building in Washington was locked down for a while Thursday when two women staffers carrying Halloween costumes walked past a video scanner. Hey! All witches don’t work in the Senate.

By Lindsey Williams, columnist for Sun Coast Media Group newspapers