Better forest management
About $70 million of our tax money has been spent so far to suppress the Rough fire. After 100,000 acres up in smoke, lousy air quality, displaced people, damaged habitat and the endangerment of firefighters, our forest management techniques will remain the same due to politics and budget priorities.
The drought is a major cause. Gov. Brown will blame it on climate change. Some will point a finger at earlier suppression decisions regarding this fire.
I’m no expert, but a little common sense might help. In comparison to what has been spent, the price tag of a few million dollars placed on control burns and logging would sure help. That is good forest management.
My guess is it won’t happen anytime soon. Protected species and purist environmentalists will make sure of that. What a shame!
Jim Koop, Tollhouse
This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 8:38 AM with the headline "Better forest management."