Repeal of U.S. Roadless Rule could threaten drinking water for 25 million people

“Constructing new logging roads into roadless areas will increase human-caused wildfire ignitions by careless recreationists, criminal arsonists, or simple accidents,” Carson States, a ten-season firefighter and engine boss from Oregon, said in a statement from FUSEE, Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology.

The proposed rule concedes that “greater public access can increase human-caused ignition potential in some locations,” while arguing new roads could still help crews protect communities.