A certain amount of deforestation in the densest areas (combined with planting new forests in a more spread-out arrangement) is probably necessary for long-term wildfire minimization. Say you’ve got a huge fire raging in a dense forest. How do firefighters get there? Trucks can’t get in. Gotta rely on fire helicopters, and those are much more expensive and fewer in number.
Don’t just deforest in huge swaths. Cut paths big enough for firetruck traffic through the areas that don’t already have it.
Prior to 1492 natives kept the forest healthy through both those methods. When Europeans arrived they reported being able to ride through the forest at a full gallop which would be impossible because of the undergrowth today.
A certain amount of deforestation in the densest areas (combined with planting new forests in a more spread-out arrangement) is probably necessary for long-term wildfire minimization. Say you’ve got a huge fire raging in a dense forest. How do firefighters get there? Trucks can’t get in. Gotta rely on fire helicopters, and those are much more expensive and fewer in number.
Don’t just deforest in huge swaths. Cut paths big enough for firetruck traffic through the areas that don’t already have it.
A combination of thinning and prescribed burns definitely does better at reducing fire intensity
It doesn’t look like a commercial clear-cut operation though.
Prior to 1492 natives kept the forest healthy through both those methods. When Europeans arrived they reported being able to ride through the forest at a full gallop which would be impossible because of the undergrowth today.
Relevant PBS Origins video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXJ4Ldy-hLQ
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I must have most of the trolls blocked already, as I see a positive vote on that comment :)
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