Value of controlled buring: Letters to the editor, Oct. 2, 2020
Bring back role of controlled fires
Climate change is real and it is time to get serious about it. But looking at “forest management” needs to be and is being updated.
In 1933 the Civilian Conservation Corps began building fire breaks and fighting fires. There was a “10:00 a.m. policy” that all fires must be suppressed by 10 a.m. the day following the initial report, and this was very successful. Why? Because natural fires kept the undergrowth clear prior to 1933. These are the leaves that someone says “must be swept away.” Because of this longtime practice, natural (lightning) and man-made fires now have the fuel necessary to ignite the shrubs and trees. California has the additional disadvantage that our forests are mostly conifers with their built-in turpentine to ignite the trees.
The best tool of forest management since 1995 is the intentional “controlled or prescribed” burn that carefully removes the undergrowth of a small area of forest to reduce the number and size of fires as we are seeing today. This, like climate change, does not happen overnight, but we must start today to solve both.
Michael King, Clovis
Say no to fracking on public lands
The Trump administration’s Bureau of Land Management is attempting a massive expansion of drilling and fracking on public lands in Central California. In August, BLM started a process to sell off 4,000 acres of oil and gas leasing in Kern County — the first time in eight years. This lease would continue damage to the climate change impact we’re already feeling through these recent wildfires.
This desire for more oil drilling and fracking runs counterintuitive to the main objection in reducing fossil fuel use. It should be noted that this lease is only the beginning. Trump’s BLM plans to open 1,736,970 acres across 19 California counties. This would only exacerbate our problems with climate change. Consider: fossil fuel extraction on public lands already accounts for a quarter of all greenhouse gas emissions in California.
To voice your opinion on this matter, let BLM know how you feel about their expansion of drilling and fracking on public lands.
Brenda Markham, Fresno
Biden plan makes most sense
The next U.S. president will either be the oldest president ever or one who is suffering from heart disease and morbid obesity. The one who happens to suffer from heart disease also appears to be a pathological liar. Trump has been caught lying more than any other modern-day president. The more mature Biden has created realizable goals that could make immediate improvements to the citizens and economy of the United States. His plan includes mask mandates, fossil fuel reductions, and increased taxation for the top 1% to help the greater good of this country.
Climate change and the coronavirus are two of the horrific illustrations of the debilitating results of Trump’s habit of dishonesty. Currently, the United States is dealing with major fires that are consuming the West Coast. Regarding the pandemic, Trump was informed that the virus would kill hundreds of thousands of Americans and destroy the economy, yet did nothing. Compared to Trump’s single term in office, Biden has served more than 40 years in national offices and is making honest claims in an effort to address legitimate issues that are crippling the hope for the United States economy and culture.
Lilly Mullooly, Fresno
Voting is a right, even with a wait
Toe the line: We stand in line at the supermarket,the movie theater, Costco, the restroom (women), airport reservation desk, and athletic events. But, we complain about having to wait in line to vote? Please remember .. .Amer ICAN!
Bob Parkman, Fresno
This story was originally published October 2, 2020 at 6:00 AM with the headline "Value of controlled buring: Letters to the editor, Oct. 2, 2020."