Billions of dollars are being spent to fight Western
wildfires, but some scientists now believe that the big blowups
can’t be prevented, and that they may be good for the health
of the forests
Magazine
May 26, 2003
Billions of dollars are being spent to fight Western wildfires, but some scientists now believe that the big blowups can’t be prevented, and that they may be good for the health of the forests. Also in this issue:Environmentalists fear the Republican-sponsored "Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003" – intended to prevent wildfires – will prove anything but healthy for the forests.
Feature
Sidebar
We need to revise or toss out some of our fire vocabulary,
especially "wildland-urban interface," "pre-settlement condition"
and Smokey’s slogan "only you"
History and science show that the recent "catastrophic"
wildfires in the West are not really a new development
Greg and Mary Tilford, who lost their house in
Montana’s Bitterroot fires in 2000, are part of a group of
homeowners suing the Forest Service for compensation
High Country News takes a critical look at fire in the
West with stories from our redesigned print edition, a special
three-part radio series, and a newly released special
report
Editor's Note
Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado, which has
experienced three major fires since 1996, can help teach the rest
of the West how to live with wildfire
Essays
The death of Lori Piestewa, a young Hopi woman killed in
combat in Iraq, has brought both grief and pride to the close-knit
Navajo and Hopi communities
Forests aren’t destroyed by wildfires; instead,
wildflowers are reborn
Conversation
Writer David James Duncan talks about his "insane passion
for rivers" and the broken hearts of Westerners
Book Reviews
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge: Seasons of Life and Land,
a book of photographs by Subhankar Banerjee, stirs up so much
controversy in Washington, D.C., that the Smithsonian relocates an
exhibition of the images
The Paonia, Colorado-based Center for Native Ecosystems
tries to look out for the kind of endangered species often
neglected by other groups
Writers on the Range
In the Northwest, a legal decision resurrects the idea of
breaching four dams on the Snake River to save endangered
salmon
Heard Around the West
Las Vegas’ golf courses get crushed rock;
artificial-turf fairways; Wyoming as a Western "Shangri-La"; Sierra
Nevada’s "chain monkeys" becoming obsolete; license to
panhandle in Salt Lake City; protester locks self to wrong door;
and Montana upholds drink
Dear Friends
HCN’s new look!; summer interns Rosemary Winters and
Stephanie Tidwell; HCN potluck and board meeting in
Paonia
News
Environmentalists fear the Republican-sponsored "Healthy
Forests Restoration Act of 2003" – intended to prevent
wildfires – will prove anything but healthy for the
forests
General Accounting Office tells Defense Department to
clean up its mess; Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation wants wolves
de-listed, and names Peter Dart new CEO; EPA forbids its scientists
to talk about perchlorate contamination; and Energy Department will
lay
Scientists think pesticides may be killing frogs in
California’s Sierra Nevada
Catron County, N.M., landowner Charles Cooksey and the
company he hired to clear a road through a national forest are
fined for damaging archaeological sites on public land
The Wildlands Conservancy buys 600,000 acres of Southern
California desert, making the largest purchase of private land for
conservation purposes in the country’s history
In Idaho, environmentalists sue to prevent the widespread
spraying of pesticides
Industry officials say that two new regulations could mean
the end of gold-mining in California
The BLM clears the way for 66,000 new coalbed methane
wells and 5,000 conventional oil and gas wells in the Powder River
Basin of Wyoming and Montana
Letters
Featured stories
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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...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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,...
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MAJOR GIFTS MANAGER - MOUNTAIN WEST, THE CONSERVATION FUND 
Cultivate, solicit and steward a portfolio of 75-125 donors.
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CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER WITH RURAL COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE CORPORATION
RCAC in West Sacramento, CA seeks a strategic CFO to oversee and safeguard RCAC's finances.
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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]
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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,...
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Sierra Forest Legacy (www.sierraforestlegacy.org) is seeking an executive director to lead our effort to conserve biodiversity and ecosystems in the Sierra Nevada. We seek a...
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SOCIAL MEDIA SPECIALIST (PART-TIME, CONTRACT) High Country News (HCN) is looking for a Social Media Specialist to manage our social media channels, encompassing Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, and...
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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....
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SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS AND SPECIAL PROJECTS SPECIALIST The Specialist reports to the Salazar Center Communications and Engagement Manager and oversees the Center's communications program, with a focus on implementing strategic multimedia communications...
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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]
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SMALL FARM AT BASE OF MOUNT SHASTA, CALIF. Fruit/berry/veggie/flower farm in the mountain town of Mount Shasta. Small home, 2 barns (one with apartment), and more. Famously pure air and water.
