Decades of over-logging and fire suppression set the stage
for deadly, destructive forest fires throughout the West.
Magazine
March 6, 1995
It's not a fluke, it's not just the drought, and it's not careless smokers. Decades of all-out logging and all-out fire suppression torched Yellowstone in 1988, ignited the fatal Colorado fire last summer, and set the stage for the thousands of fires in between.
Feature
Sidebar
Peter M. Leschak reminisces about firefighting in his book
Hellroaring: The Life and Times of a Fire Bum.
The trauma caused by super-hot fires continues long after
the flames are put out.
Quotes from Stephen J. Pyne and Bruce Babbitt acknowledge
the need to change attitudes toward fire.
A report by the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration blames Forest Service and BLM "indifference" and
"willful safety violations" for deaths of 14 firefighters in
Colorado.
Quote from smokejumper Kevin Erickson depicts dramatic
scene as fire overcomes 14 firefighters in the South Canyon Fire in
Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Idaho Sen. Larry Craig proposes a bill to give fast-track
approval to timber sales in forests at "high risk" for fire
danger.
Seeing Yellowstone by snowmobile is understandably
entertaining.
Essays
Former firefighter Louise Wagenknecht says the rush at
firefighting is as powerful as any drug.
Perspective
Alaska Republican Don Young, new chairman of the House
Resource Committee, denounces environmentalism and offers his own
conservative philosophy.
Dear Friends
Odds and ends; change of address advice
News
Activists face arrest for protesting Cove-Mallard timber
sale.
Cyanide from a defunct gold mill has contaminated Jan and
David Zimmerman's well water.
A Forest Service plan to close roads made by all-terrain
vehicles provokes angry reaction from ATV users.
Former Interior Secretary James Watt is indicted by a
federal grand jury for lying to Congress and obstructing an
investigation of fraud.
The winter influx of snowmobiles into Yellowstone creates
problems.
Arches National Park uses pilot program to measure how
many people are too many people at Delicate Arch.
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe seeks to harvest troublesome sea
lions.
The Supreme Court refuses to overturn Montana's
"hunter-harassment" law.
Opinion
Formerly powerful California Democrats George Miller and
Henry Waxman are lost in the new, Republican Washington.
Letters
Today's Featured Stories
-
CUSTOMER SERVICE SPECIALIST/ASSISTANT High Country News (HCN) seeks a customer services specialist for data entry and departmental support. Strong candidates will have experience meeting the needs of customers...
-
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR High Country News Seeks an Executive Director to advance its mission, grow its audience and influence, and strategically and sustainably guide the organization through a...
-
BISHOP AREA CLIMBING RANGER Friends of the Inyo, the Eastern Sierra Interpretive Association, and the Bishop Area Climbers Coalition, in partnership with the Inyo National Forest and the Bureau...
-
GREAT SITUATION FOR A RESPONSIBLE COUPLE 
to trade year-round work for nice lodging and monthly income. Western CO. Email [email protected]
-
2 PROPERTIES ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE GILA WILDERNESS Organic farm, hot springs, San Francisco River runs through both. [email protected]
-
WHATCOM LAND TRUST EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Whatcom Land Trust is a highly successful land trust located in Bellingham in the northwest corner of Washington State between the salt water and the...
-
CHUCK BURR'S CULTUREQUAKE.COM BLOG Change will happen when we see a new way of living. Thinking to save the world.
-
SOCIETY FOR WILDERNESS STEWARDSHIP BOARD MEMBER Join the SWS board and help us broaden, diversify, and engage the wilderness community.
-
NEW MEXICO BIRDER'S PARADISE. Fully furnished 2B/2B home near Bosque del Apache NWR, great for nature lovers.
-
CLASSIC ABOBE NEW MEXICO HOME Classic, territorial abode home. Horse facilities, Gila Wilderness, Mimbres River and much more. Contact 575-534-7955 or [email protected]
-
COMING TO TUCSON? Popular vacation house, furnished, 2 bed/1 bath, yard, dog-friendly. Lee at [email protected] or 520-791-9246.
-
ORGANIZING AND TRAINING COORDINATOR Live in a spectacular part of the West and work with great people to build power and win! The Western Organization of Resource Councils is...
-
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Central Colorado Conservancy is seeking an innovative and dynamic Executive Director to build on growing regional impact within the current strategic plan. This is a...
-
OWN YOUR DREAM - TAOS BIKE SHOP FOR SALE Gearing Up, well established, profitable, full service bicycle shop. MLS #103930. Contact: 435-881-3741.
-
DIRECTOR, TEXAS WATER PROGRAMS The National Wildlife Federation seeks a Director to lead our water-related policy and program work in Texas, with a primary focus on NWF's signature Texas...
-
SPLIT CREEK RANCH Spectacular country home on 48 acres with Wallowa River running through it! 541-398-1148 www.RubyPeakRealty.com
-
LOOKING FOR EXPERIENCED FARMER
for 25-year certified organic vegetable farm. Business arrangements flexible. 7 acres raised beds. Excellent infrastructure. NW Montana. Contact: [email protected]
-
PERU: WEAVING WORDS & WOMEN ADVENTURE April 2020. A 13-day women-only immersion into the culture of Peru led by Page Lambert and True Nature Journeys. Includes Machu Picchu. Graduate credit available...
-
ELECTRIC MOUNTAIN LOTS - PAONIA, CO
Only 2 lots left in Electric Mountain Recreational Subdivision. Spectacular vistas. Visit & dine at the reopened Electric Mountain Lodge, Thurs-Sun. Contact: [email protected]
-
FOR SALE: SOUTH AUSTIN RANCH NEXT TO WILDFLOWER CENTER
Seeking LMP/family to share one of two complexes, ranching, hunting and recreation as allowed on a City of Austin held 385 acre water quality conservation...
