Intentional blazes spark new complaints in fight against wildfire

People and groups critical of backfires said they're not looking to end their use. "By using wildfire, you can steer wildfire," said Tim Ingalsbee, executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology and author of the report on Oregon's Biscuit Fire.

But the environment in forests has changed, thanks to drought brought on in part by climate change, and the Forest Service is being reactive rather than proactive, critics said. Even where backfire is effective, Ingalsbee said, forest managers need to ask what the cost is in landscapes burned at high intensity and wildlife habitat damaged.

"Lack of planning leads to crisis," Ingalsbee said. "They're managing fire as if it's unforeseen. It's time we prepare for it. We can't prevent it."