Forest Fires Can Be Force for Good

Ecologist George Wuerthner calls fire suppression 'predator control' for forests

Ecologist George Wuerthner calls fire suppression "predator control" for forests.

In his introduction to the new book, "Wildfire: A Century of Failed Forest Policy," he says people today have similar attitudes toward fire and wolves: Both are tolerated only in certain, controlled situations.

Wuerthner, ecological projects director for the Foundation for Deep Ecology, edited the book, which promotes returning natural fire to forests. To some, it's a radical notion.

Essays and scientific papers from more than 25 experts, including six New Mexicans, look back at history and forward to how fire can resume a more natural role.

"The main thing is to get the public to understand fire is a complex and interesting topic," said contributor and New Mexico native Tom Ribe, who sits on the board of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics and Ecology. "It's not just an emergency that needs to be responded to."

Todd Schulke, forest program director for the Center for Biological Diversity in New Mexico, agreed.

"There's no way, particularly with climate change, we're going to be able to fight every fire, nor should we, because it does have an important role in nature," he said.

"Wildfire," published by Island Press, is a weighty book, both literally and figuratively. It's also expensive at $75 for the hardback version with 150 photos, but a paperback reader that contains most of the essays is available for $27.50.

Fire has historically played an important role in forests, helping regenerate stands of aspen, speeding decomposition in arid climates and accomplishing other tasks.

But decades of fire suppression- along with livestock grazing and logging- have left forest ecosystems out of whack, Ribe writes in an essay on fire in the Southwest.

The U.S. Forest Service spends hundreds of millions to fight fires every year while also undertaking costly thinning and prescribed burn restoration projects.

Ribe argues that letting some wildfires burn would be a cheaper and better way to maintain natural ecosystems.

It's also important for people to learn to live with fire, Schulke said.

If you go

WHAT: Lectures and book signings with the editor and several New Mexico contributors of "Wildfire: A Century of Failed Forest Policy"

WHEN: 6 p.m. Monday at the Hotel Santa Fe ($10 donation); 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Taos Convention Center; and 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at the University of New Mexico Student Union Building

Copyright 2006 Albuquerque Journal - Reprinted with permission


 

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