Without getting into a debate about timber harvesting (I partially agree with some of Chris's points) I think the one thing we can agree on is the increasing amount of development in forested areas. Way too many fires (both natural and man caused) are taking place in what is called the urban interface. As a wildland firefighter, I've been trained to conduct "structural triage" in the event there are homes in the path of a wildfire. With very limited resources, lets just say that many homes will not be protected (lives will continue to be the number one priority however). To help your home survive a wildfire (and increase its priority for protection in a structural triage situation) there are a number of things you can do. Go to the Firewise webpage to see what these are.

Regardless of how our forests came to be in the shape they're in, forest management (like some of the Firewise tips) is a good way to improve the situation. Leaving things alone will probably result in more acres burned and more homes lost. I would still love to have by home in the forest but I'll compromise by living in a small town and owning some forestland that I manage for many benefits.

Terry