I've Heard something over the Past Several Days, -about Forest Fires Threatening Faibanks. I've also Heard that Alaska's Generally Getting Drier, -over these Last Several Decades. Does Anyone Know Anything More on either of these?! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]ScottRezaLogan[/email]

North America's Forests act as the planet's lungs. They filter and trap vast quantities of CO2 and transpire a great deal of moisture in the forest climes, which are actually temperate rainforest equivelent to those of South America. Wastefull clearcutting, and turning complex forests into monoculture treefarms has led to the destruction of the supporting soil flora with reduced overall vitallity. Reducing the acreage also introduces the blowdown phenomenon. Imagine 3 people standing in a strong wind vs 30 huddled together. Every year the edge phenomenon further destroys vigorous trees. The overall result is a forest system with decreased ability to maintain the moisture level with increasingly dry conditions. This weakening introduces still more stresses, most notably the Bark Beetle. Then we get simplistic fixes like removing the diseased trees by "the people who know best how to do it," the timber industry. <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

Scott:

You can find out information about the Alaska wildfires and any other wildfire in the US by going to the NIFC firepage.

I agree with Chris K. that the forests are being tampered with way too much. It is not only here (North America) but also is happening in Central and South America, Africa and even Russia. A good example of forest damage is found near where I live in world famous Sun Valley. Hollywood icons and others are turning the area into “their” playground. They build so-called trophy homes (over 4000 sq. ft) and destroy the forest and environment in the process. The amount of homes and stress on the surrounding area is terrible. Traffic (large SUV’s) and pollution are on the rise. While the area promotes environmentalism, in theory, in reality it is rarely practiced. Actor Tom Hanks built a home right in the middle of the forest waited until the foundation was in and then applied for the special use permits. Last I heard there was a dispute between him, the contractor and the forest service. So much made the papers the judge literally “gagged” the media and sealed the court documents. As far as I know the house remains unfinished. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has a home in the valley as does John Kerry’s wives family (Heinz, for sale BTW) and I hear a Chinese businessman wants to build an 8,000-sq. ft. home as well. The area used to be very beautiful and wide open, now everywhere you look it is becoming an eyesore.

We build, we encroach and then wonder why fires destroy homes and people are mauled by mountain lions.

Stargazer

"If we believe in absurdities, we shall commit atrocities - Voltaire"

And the Mt. Graham Astronomical Observatory in Arizona, as Well! [color:"black"] [/color] [email]ScottRezaLogan[/email]

"Mount Graham" ( there is a far older name for it) is one of a handfull of unique 'sky island ' ecotats left over from the very ice age and home to the rare red squirrel. It is also a holy place of the Apache people. It was part of the reservation briefly, until mormon settlers objected. Then the UA and the Vatican decided to build an observatory there, dismissing the apache 's heathen beliefs and God's mandate to man to act as his caretaker," as you do unto the least of these, you do unto me." Today the UA and vatican shell out $200,000 to monitor squirrels, High winds overlooked now hamper telescope use and apaches seeking to pray on the peak are tresspassing. The fires are a warning. As the Hopi people say "Koyaanisquatsi." <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

ive just dug out my old books about hopi prophecy too.

and recommended reading suggestions?

Sunsets! When world events and sheer stupidiy overwhelm me I read sunsets.

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

I went and broke my own caveat and admonition about politics and religon on this thread. MEA CULPA,MEA CULPA. The earth faces severe environmental problems. Nobody is without guilt. I drive a inefficient fossil burning vehicle and live a lifestyle ( in spite of my complaints) unimaginable to most of our brothers and sisters. There are idiots in high places. People forget that the folks under them are often in untenable positions. Some of the finest people I know are timbermen who love the forests and are equally concerned with their future as any dreadlocked Earth First! friends of mine.

If it is any consolation, mother nature will remove as many of us as necessary to guarantee Earths continued existense.

That's what immune virus's, famines, tornados, and other natural occurances do and they will get worse as we become more wasteful and destructive.

The Earth was here before us and will continue without us.

Bountyhunter