A historian of fire recalls the "Big Blowup" of 1910, an
explosion of wildfire in Idaho that took 78 lives, made a hero of
ranger Ed Pulaski, and helped to share a century of fire policy on
the national forests.
Magazine

April 23, 2001
A historian of fire recalls the "Big Blowup" of 1910, an explosion of wildfire in Idaho that took 78 lives, made a hero of ranger Ed Pulaski, and helped to share a century of fire policy on the national forests.
Feature
Editor's Note
An introduction to this issue's lead story and the next
talks about the need for changes in the Forest Service's fire
policy, especially in the West.
Uncommon Westerners
Longtime, controversial New Mexico activist Sam Hitt
retires from Forest Guardians to write a book.
Book Reviews
In "Benigna's Chimayo: Cuentos from the Old Plaza," Don
Usner recounts the rich stories his grandmother used to tell him,
when he spent childhood summers with her in Chimayo, N.M.
In "Fool's Gold: Lives, Loves, and Misadventures in the
Four Corners Country," Rob Schultheis tells of life in Telluride,
Colo., from its ramshackle hippie days in the 1970s to its growth
into an expensive ski resort.
The Los Alamos Study Group, a nonprofit focused on nuclear
disarmament, has put up five billboards on I-25 in New Mexico that
criticize the state's dependence on the nuclear weapons
industry.
Perspective
Former Interior Secretary Stewart Udall, Arizona native,
rancher and environmentalist, lectures on cooperation and community
in the West at the Cowboy Poetry Gathering in Elko, Nev., and gets
a surprising ovation.
Heard Around the West
Moab and "The Vagina Monologues"; "squaw" and its English
equivalent in Idaho; Unimogs are new ultimate behemoths; motorized
scooters new trend.
Dear Friends
Activist Connie Harvey celebrates 70th birthday in Aspen,
Colo.; visitors by modem and phone; God leads HCN subscribers;
oops: HCN booboos.
News
Under the new administration of George W. Bush,
Republicans seek to open Clinton's new national monuments to oil
and gas exploration and other uses and to revise the way monuments
are created.
The Bush administration is working to revise and weaken
Clinton's roadless area conservation rules for national
forests.
Idaho can't kill sage grouse predators; Colo.
coyote-killing study stopped; Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.) against
drilling on public land near Jackson; Interior/Treasury must
account for lost Indian monies; Sen. Slade Gorton may become
federal judge.
Archaeologists fear that without more funds to manage
tourism, the ruins in newly designated Canyons of the Ancients
National Monument, Colo., will suffer from increased
visitors.
Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and
Wilderness Watch are challenging a microwave repeater tower in
Death Valley National Park that was put up without any
environmental assessment.
In Libby, Mont., residents who are sick or dying of
exposure to asbestos from W.R. Grace's vermiculite mine are
outraged by the company's decision to file for bankruptcy in the
face of their lawsuits.
Environmentalists say new rules restricting helicopter and
airplane flights in the Grand Canyon still aren't enough to restore
quiet, even as air-tour operators react with anger and
lawsuits.
A bill designed to protect citizens from frivolous
lawsuits called SLAPPs (Strategic Lawsuits Against Public
Participation) was defeated in Colorado's state Senate, but its
sponsor plans to try again.
Idaho irrigators are relieved that water rights have been
denied for the 94 islands in the Snake River that make up the Deer
Flats National Wildlife Refuge.
Washington state's much-hyped "Forests and Fish" plan is
being criticized by scientists, environmentalists, fishermen and
tribes as a sell-out to the timber industry likely to hasten the
salmon's decline.
Letters
Featured stories
-
ENVIRONMENTAL AND CONSTRUCTION GEOPHYSICS - We find groundwater, buried debris and assist with new construction projects for a fraction of drilling costs.
-
SPRING MOUNTAINS SOLAR OFF GRID MOUNTAIN HOME Located 50 miles northwest of Las Vegas, Nevada in the pine forest of Lee Canyon at 8000 feet elevation. One of a kind property surrounded...
-
WATER PROGRAM DIRECTOR Based in home office within Arizona, with travel to Phoenix 2-3 times/month (TNC office space may be available if located in Phoenix or Tucson area)....
-
FOREST PROGRAM DIRECTOR, 51721 The Forest Program Director oversees aspects of protection, science, stewardship and community relations for the Arizona business unit. Provides scientific leadership and support for TNC's...
-
SOUTHWEST CONSERVATION ADVOCATE WildEarth Guardians is seeking a full-time advocate in our Wild Places Program to advance a new paradigm of forest management and protection based on the...
-
REGIONAL CONSERVATION DIRECTOR FOR THE RIVERSIDE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION (RCTC) The Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) is conducting a national search, seeking a dynamic leader and effective manager to be the next Regional Conservation Director....
-
WYOMING CONSERVATION COORDINATOR The Wyoming Conservation Coordinator (WCC) is a senior-level position that provides strategic leadership for GYC's efforts to protect lands, waters, and wildlife within the Wyoming...
-
NEW AGRARIAN PROGRAM SOUTHWEST COORDINATOR The New Agrarian Program Southwest Coordinator is responsible, in partnership with the NAP Director and Colorado Manager, for implementation of Quivira's apprenticeship program in New...
-
NEW AGRARIAN PROGRAM ALUMNI AND OUTREACH MANAGER The New Agrarian Alumni & Outreach Manager is a passionate community builder who enjoys identifying opportunities to develop new programming, supporting beginning agrarians and land...
-
ANIMAS RIVERKEEPER San Juan Citizens Alliance seeks a passionate, experienced, and motivated Animas Riverkeeper to lead campaigns to protect water quality and flows in the Animas River...
-
CO & NM COALITION TO ENHANCE WORKING LANDS MANAGER Land stewards are more effective when they work as a team and have strong relationships. Our goals are to acknowledge and support the good work...
-
PATAGONIA SONOITA-CREEK PRESERVE MANAGER The Patagonia Sonoita Creek Preserve Manager performs and participates in preserve operations including the maintenance, management, development and coordination of conservation programs. On-site housing provided...
-
VERDE RIVER PROJECTS TECHNICIAN The Verde River Projects Technician (VRPT) provides technical assistance to Verde River Program staff in implementation of the Verde River Streamflow Monitoring Protocol. This consists...
-
HEALTHY CITIES PROGRAM MANAGER The Healthy Cities Program Manager works directly with the business unit's Healthy Cities Program Director to advance the Healthy Cities Program's long-term vision and innovative,...
-
MAJOR GIFTS MANAGER - MOUNTAIN WEST, THE CONSERVATION FUND Cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of 75-125 donors.
-
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER WITH RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION RCAC in West Sacramento, CA seeks a strategic CFO to oversee and safeguard RCAC's finances.
-
PRECIOUS WATER IN ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK Hardcover and eBook available now. Contact your local bookstore or the author at 970.371.7339 [email protected]
-
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENT Roaring Fork Outdoor Volunteers (RFOV) is a non-profit organization with a mission to promote stewardship of our public lands by engaging our community in education,...
-
NATURE'S BEST IN ARAVAIPA CANYON 10 acre private oasis in one of Arizona's beautiful canyons. Fully furnished, 2123 sq ft architectural custom-built contemporary home with spectacular views and many extras....
-
HEALTH FOOD STORE IN NW MONTANA Turn-key business includes 2500 sq ft commercial building in main business district of Libby, Montana. 406.293.6771 /or [email protected]