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
Today's Featured Stories
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ASSISTANT DIRECTOR The West Region Wildfire Council (www.COwildfire.org) is a regional wildfire organization that promotes wildfire adaptation, preparedness and mitigation education across Delta, Gunnison, Hinsdale, Montrose, Ouray...
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REPORTER 
The Wallowa County Chieftain, has an opening for a reporter. Experience with and understanding of editorial photography also required. Journalism degree or equivalent, an understanding...
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ORGANIZER/OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Seeking an energetic Organizer/Outreach Coordinator to help us conserve Arizona's public lands and shape the policies that affect them.
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2017 JOHN DEERE LAWN MOWER Z930R 15 hours on it, 3 years warranty, 22,5 HP, $1600 Sale price. Contact: [email protected]
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DONOR RELATIONS MANAGER Join us in helping to match charitable interests and passions to the needs of The Nature Conservancy. The Nature Conservancy seeks a fast learner with...
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YELLOWSTONE RIVER FIELD INSTITUTE The Yellowstone River Field Institute is an intensive week-long field course for multimedia storytellers, working journalists, and students of journalism, offered by the Montana-based Freeflow...
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OWN YOUR OWN CANYON - 1400 SF STRAW-BALE ECO-HOME ON 80 ACRES - 3 HOURS FROM L.A. 1400 sf of habitable space in a custom-designed eco-home created and completed by a published L.A. architect in 1997-99. Nestled within its own 80-acre mountain...
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EDUCATION & ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM MANAGER Baltimore Green Space (BGS) is Baltimore's environmental land trust. We promote vibrant neighborhoods and a healthy environment through land preservation, research, and community advocacy. We...
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LEAD FORESTER Northwest Natural Resource Group seeks forester based in Seattle or Olympia area to manage our ecological forestry harvest program. Full description at nnrg.org.
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ENERGY MARKET POLICY ANALYST, CLEAN ENERGY PROGRAM Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is seeking an experienced Policy Analyst or Senior Analyst to develop and advocate for policies and mechanisms that promote the development...
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MILLION DOLLAR VIEW FOR $460,000 from a beautiful log home. 20-acre private parcel in the sunny Okanogan of WA. Visit: www.juliedubois.ca/house. Inquiries: [email protected]
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VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS AND STRATEGY Western Resource Advocates is looking for a VP of Programs and Strategy to bring a strategic focus to the development of multi-faceted advocacy plans that...
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HEAD BREAD/PASTRY BAKER AND ASSISTANT POSITIONS Hiring Part/Full time for Summer Season - entry level & experienced positions. Year round employment for optimal candidates. Pay DOE.
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SPECTACULAR SCENIC MOUNTAIN VIEW HOME BUILDING SITE Located on top of Sugarloaf Mtn. 5 mi W of downtown Colorado Springs, CO. $80,000.
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CURATOR, DRAPER NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM The Draper Natural History Museum (DNHM) at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, WY, invites applications for Curator of Natural Science. Seeking...
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UNDEVELOPED 40 ACRES - SOUTHWEST COLORADO in Southwest Colorado. $60K plus costs.
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PARTNERSHIP-LEASE
Seeking full-time experienced farmer on 52-acre organic farm Union, OR. [email protected]
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SAN JUAN METALS Metal roofing & siding, thru-fastened & seam profiles. Stronger, more attractive and longer lasting than any other panel on the market. 970-275-4070.
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SIERRA CLUB SENIOR CAMPAIGN REPRESENTATIVE, BEYOND DIRTY FUELS
We are looking for an experienced campaigner to lead our work challenging the oil and fracked gas industry, specifically focused on fighting fossil fuel expansion...
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EVERLAND MOUNTAIN RETREAT Everland Mountain Retreat includes 318 mountaintop acres with a 3,200 square foot lodge and two smaller homes. Endless vistas of the Appalachian mountains, open skies,...
