Logging will do nothing to help us out of this mess
As I write this, my hometown of Talent, Oregon is a disaster area, and I am in tears over the destruction of my neighborhood. Lives have been forever changed by this tragedy that could have been avoided with better planning.
As I write this, my hometown of Talent, Oregon is a disaster area, and I am in tears over the destruction of my neighborhood. Lives have been forever changed by this tragedy that could have been avoided with better planning.
The Big Smoke
Oakland, California—On Tuesday, September 8, my husband and I were hiking along Pelican Bluffs Trail near Gualala, a tiny coastal town in Northern California’s Mendocino County, to which we’d come to escape from the heat and the wildfire smoke already plaguing the Bay Area. It was a dramatic walk, with views of white cliffs, pristine beaches, and the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean, whose intense blue was rivaled only by the skies above it. As a flight of pelicans vanished into the patch of ocean fog, I reminded myself of how lucky I was: seventeen years into my life in the great state of California, it still felt as if I’d barely scratched the surface. Then I glanced up and noticed a gray halo around the suddenly orange sun. It’s just sea fog, my husband told me; it doesn’t get smoky on the coast. The nearest fire, which had erupted over Labor Day at Willits, where we’d been planning a ride on the Skunk Train through the redwoods, was an hour and a half away—surely too far to cause this.
Oakland, California—On Tuesday, September 8, my husband and I were hiking along Pelican Bluffs Trail near Gualala, a tiny coastal town in Northern California’s Mendocino County, to which we’d come to escape from the heat and the wildfire smoke already plaguing the Bay Area. It was a dramatic walk, with views of white cliffs, pristine beaches, and the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean, whose intense blue was rivaled only by the skies above it. As a flight of pelicans vanished into the patch of ocean fog, I reminded myself of how lucky I was: seventeen years into my life in the great state of California, it still felt as if I’d barely scratched the surface. Then I glanced up and noticed a gray halo around the suddenly orange sun. It’s just sea fog, my husband told me; it doesn’t get smoky on the coast. The nearest fire, which had erupted over Labor Day at Willits, where we’d been planning a ride on the Skunk Train through the redwoods, was an hour and a half away—surely too far to cause this.
Suppressing fires has failed. Here’s what California needs to do instead.
Five of California's 10 largest fires in modern history are all burning at once. Together, this year's wildfires have already destroyed 4,200 buildings, forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes, and scorched more than 3.2 million acres across the state.
Five of California's 10 largest fires in modern history are all burning at once. Together, this year's wildfires have already destroyed 4,200 buildings, forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes, and scorched more than 3.2 million acres across the state.
Smoke from West Coast wildfires reaches Europe
“More crews, more air tankers, more engines and dozers still can’t overcome this powerful force of nature,” said Tim Ingalsbee, a member of the advocacy group Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology. “The crews are beat up and fatigued and spread thin, and we’re barely halfway through the traditional fire season.”
“More crews, more air tankers, more engines and dozers still can’t overcome this powerful force of nature,” said Tim Ingalsbee, a member of the advocacy group Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology. “The crews are beat up and fatigued and spread thin, and we’re barely halfway through the traditional fire season.”
‘Nothing left in the bucket’: Wildfire resources run thin
With no end in sight to the pandemic, some worry the focus on aggressively attacking every fire could last. Allowing instead for more fires to burn if they are not threatening life or property would free up firefighters for the most dangerous blazes, said Tim Ingalsbee with the advocacy group Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology.
With no end in sight to the pandemic, some worry the focus on aggressively attacking every fire could last. Allowing instead for more fires to burn if they are not threatening life or property would free up firefighters for the most dangerous blazes, said Tim Ingalsbee with the advocacy group Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology.
Firestorm in the West: A deep look with fire ecologist Tim Ingalsbee
Climate change, forest management, the "rural-urban interface," and much more
Climate change, forest management, the "rural-urban interface," and much more
Wildfire resources run thin as firefighters struggle to ‘contain one before another erupts’
Justin Silvera came off the fire lines in Northern California after a grueling 36 straight days battling wildfires and evacuating residents ahead of the flames. Before that, he and his crew had worked for 20 days, followed by a three-day break.
Justin Silvera came off the fire lines in Northern California after a grueling 36 straight days battling wildfires and evacuating residents ahead of the flames. Before that, he and his crew had worked for 20 days, followed by a three-day break.
Wildfires Burning in Heavily Clearcut, Logged and Roaded Parts of the Oregon Cascades
As many of us know, different ecosystems burn differently. High severity fires are natural, normal and expected in some ecosystems, not so much in others. It’s important to remember that many of the largest and most destructive wildfires in recent years—in terms of human lives and structures lost—were not even “forest” fires at all, but rather more urban fires that raced through neighborhoods and communities surrounded by dry grass, brush, shrubs, and chaparral. Many of these fires also had little to do with federal public lands. However, all of these deadly fires have been pushed by heavy winds during a period of prolonged drought and record high temperatures.
As many of us know, different ecosystems burn differently. High severity fires are natural, normal and expected in some ecosystems, not so much in others. It’s important to remember that many of the largest and most destructive wildfires in recent years—in terms of human lives and structures lost—were not even “forest” fires at all, but rather more urban fires that raced through neighborhoods and communities surrounded by dry grass, brush, shrubs, and chaparral. Many of these fires also had little to do with federal public lands. However, all of these deadly fires have been pushed by heavy winds during a period of prolonged drought and record high temperatures.
Our land was taken. But we still hold the knowledge of how to stop mega-fires
As wildfires rage across California, it saddens me that Indigenous peoples’ millennia-long practice of cultural burning has been ignored in favor of fire suppression.
As wildfires rage across California, it saddens me that Indigenous peoples’ millennia-long practice of cultural burning has been ignored in favor of fire suppression.
Wildfire resources run thin as firefighters struggle to ‘contain one before another erupts’
Tim Ingalsbee, a member of the advocacy group Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology, said the June directive from Christiansen returned the forest service to a mindset prevalent for much of the last century that focused on putting out fires as quickly as possible. He said allowing more fires to burn when they are not threatening life or property would free up firefighters for the most dangerous blazes. With no end in sight to the pandemic, Ingalsbee worried the focus on aggressively attacking every fire could prove lasting.
Tim Ingalsbee, a member of the advocacy group Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology, said the June directive from Christiansen returned the forest service to a mindset prevalent for much of the last century that focused on putting out fires as quickly as possible. He said allowing more fires to burn when they are not threatening life or property would free up firefighters for the most dangerous blazes. With no end in sight to the pandemic, Ingalsbee worried the focus on aggressively attacking every fire could prove lasting.
Oregon needs to start more fires in order to stop them. “Prescribed burns” are a common practice, however, in Oregon they chafe against the interests of the timber industry.
Tim Ingalsbee believes in fighting fires with fire—something he says Oregon isn't doing enough of.
A lifelong wildland firefighter who has worked for the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service, Ingalsbee is executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology, an organization whose primary goal is advocating for a more preventative approach to wildfire management.
Tim Ingalsbee believes in fighting fires with fire—something he says Oregon isn't doing enough of.
A lifelong wildland firefighter who has worked for the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service, Ingalsbee is executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology, an organization whose primary goal is advocating for a more preventative approach to wildfire management.
How can you help prevent homes from being destroyed by wildfires? Experts weigh in
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- On Monday, President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom both talked about fire management going forward. More than 3.2 million acres have burned this year in California and there is now lots of discussion about what can be done to reverse this trend.
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- On Monday, President Donald Trump and California Governor Gavin Newsom both talked about fire management going forward. More than 3.2 million acres have burned this year in California and there is now lots of discussion about what can be done to reverse this trend.
US West Coast fires: I don't think science knows about climate, says Trump
US President Donald Trump has dismissed concerns over climate change on a visit to fire-ravaged California, telling an official "I don't think science knows" about global warming.
"It'll start getting cooler, you just watch," Mr Trump said after he was urged not to "ignore the science".
US President Donald Trump has dismissed concerns over climate change on a visit to fire-ravaged California, telling an official "I don't think science knows" about global warming.
"It'll start getting cooler, you just watch," Mr Trump said after he was urged not to "ignore the science".
'I don't think science knows:' Trump rejects climate change's role in California wildfires
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- As wildfires continue to ravage California, President Donald Trump on Monday ignored the scientific consensus that climate change is playing a central role in the West Coast infernos and instead blamed the fires on dry debris on the forest floor.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- As wildfires continue to ravage California, President Donald Trump on Monday ignored the scientific consensus that climate change is playing a central role in the West Coast infernos and instead blamed the fires on dry debris on the forest floor.
Devastating wildfires out West inject climate change into the presidential campaign
Tim Ingalsbee, a retired wildland firefighter and a certified fire ecologist, pointed to the Holiday Farm Fire, a blaze near his home in Eugene, Ore., that has burned through thousands of acres of an industrial tree plantation. “This area has experienced the maximum timber management possible,” he said, “and has made these lands even more flammable than the native forests.”
Tim Ingalsbee, a retired wildland firefighter and a certified fire ecologist, pointed to the Holiday Farm Fire, a blaze near his home in Eugene, Ore., that has burned through thousands of acres of an industrial tree plantation. “This area has experienced the maximum timber management possible,” he said, “and has made these lands even more flammable than the native forests.”
Biden, Trump jockey over climate as wildfires overtake campaigns
The wildfires sweeping the West Coast of the United States took centre stage in the US election campaign on Monday, with President Donald Trump visiting California and blaming the blazes on poor forest management while his Democratic challenger Joe Biden stressed the role of climate change.
The wildfires sweeping the West Coast of the United States took centre stage in the US election campaign on Monday, with President Donald Trump visiting California and blaming the blazes on poor forest management while his Democratic challenger Joe Biden stressed the role of climate change.
Is climate change worsening California fires, or is it poor forest management? Both, experts say
Forest thinning would not have prevented such a situation, but more fire-resistant structures could have helped avoid some of the worst destruction, said Timothy Ingalsbee, the executive director of a group called Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics & Ecology. “We can do that,” Ingalsbee said. “We have the tools, technology and know-how to make homes that don’t burn catastrophically.” Even installing a more resilient roof, such as using stone-coated steel, can dramatically raise the odds of a home surviving a fire, Ingalsbee said. Houses consumed by wildfires are often ignited by landing embers, not massive walls of flames, he said. “All the politicians, they want to say, ‘Log the forests before they burn again, relocate suburban communities.’ None of that will work unless and until we start putting limits on and eventually eliminate burning fossil fuels,” Ingalsbee said.
Forest thinning would not have prevented such a situation, but more fire-resistant structures could have helped avoid some of the worst destruction, said Timothy Ingalsbee, the executive director of a group called Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics & Ecology. “We can do that,” Ingalsbee said. “We have the tools, technology and know-how to make homes that don’t burn catastrophically.” Even installing a more resilient roof, such as using stone-coated steel, can dramatically raise the odds of a home surviving a fire, Ingalsbee said. Houses consumed by wildfires are often ignited by landing embers, not massive walls of flames, he said. “All the politicians, they want to say, ‘Log the forests before they burn again, relocate suburban communities.’ None of that will work unless and until we start putting limits on and eventually eliminate burning fossil fuels,” Ingalsbee said.
What turned California forests into a tinderbox? Fire suppression, paradoxically
Before this unprecedented era of mega-blazes on the US west coast, California’s forests had a canny, ingenious way of avoiding destructive worst-case forest fire scenarios. By periodically removing the grasses, shrubs and young trees – known as the forest understory – California avoided fires growing to destructive intensities before the 20th century. The way this was done? Fire.
Before this unprecedented era of mega-blazes on the US west coast, California’s forests had a canny, ingenious way of avoiding destructive worst-case forest fire scenarios. By periodically removing the grasses, shrubs and young trees – known as the forest understory – California avoided fires growing to destructive intensities before the 20th century. The way this was done? Fire.