Let Burn Policy Appealed

The Western Institute for Study of the Environment (W.I.S.E.) together with the Concerned Citizens for Responsible Fire Management (CCRFM) today appealed to USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell a decision by Region 6 Regional Forester Mary Wagner to approve the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest’s adoption of a Wildland Fire Use (WFU) program over strenuous objections by citizen watchdog groups.

The Rogue River and Siskiyou National Forests were merged in 2004. In March, 2008 the RR-SNF proposed inclusion of WFU fires in their Land and Resource Management Plan and Forest Fire Management Plan.

In a July 1 press release, W.I.S.E. Executive Director Mike Dubrasich stated, “If this Let It Burn program is implemented, another Biscuit Fire will surely occur, possibly as soon as this summer.”

“The Biscuit Fire burned 500,000 acres of the then Siskiyou NF in 2002. It was the largest fire in recorded Oregon history and destroyed habitat for endangered species, including over 100,000 acres of prime spotted owl habitat (50 known nesting sites were destroyed).”

“Allowing wildfires to freely roam the landscape is a terribly destructive idea. Too much is at stake, including forests, watersheds, and wildlife habitat, as well as ranches, farms, homes, and entire communities that may lie in the path of uncontained Federal megafires.”

“Our culture and society have reached an important juncture in our understanding of our place in the landscape. As human beings we must become the caretakers of our environment and fulfill our sacred responsibilities, not abandon our priceless, heritage forests to catastrophic fire.”

The text of the Appeal may be downloaded [here].

Scoping Comments and Objections from W.I.S.E. and CCRFM may be downloaded [here, here, here].

The Western Institute for Study of the Environment is a non-profit organization headquartered in Lebanon, Oregon. W.I.S.E. is a collaboration of environmental scientists, resource professionals and practitioners, and the interested public. Our mission is to further advancements in knowledge and environmental stewardship across a spectrum of related environmental disciplines and professions. We are ready, willing, and able to teach good stewardship and caring for the land.

The Concerned Citizens for Responsible Fire Management is a citizens group based in Trinity County, CA. Members have extensive National Forest land and fire management backgrounds and/or are business people who are directly or indirectly affected by National Forest management. The CCRFM is dedicated to the oversight of land and wildfire management activities on National Forests.