Healthy logging prevents raging infernos

When our overpopulated forests are rife with standing dead and diseased trees, a single heat source finds this to be the opportune fuel source for a catastrophic chain reaction, the type we are currently witnessing.

The Chiwaukum fire in Leavenworth, after being put out, will look similar to the Tumwater Canyon along U.S. 2 and the Entiat Ridge in 20 years. In 1994, three areas burned, referred to as The Hatchery Creek Complex, Rat Creek, and The Tyee Fire. Twenty years later, you can still see the damage that was done to our forests from raging flames that burned intensely through overpopulated forests, depleting the soil of nutritional value that allows for regeneration. These fires started on July 24, 1994 and were not out until Dec. 24.

Had the U.S. Forest Service gone into these timberlands, or had the work bid on by loggers to thin out overpopulated areas, we would not be seeing as aggressive of fires; and the men and women who are currently attempting to cease this beast would have a better chance of stopping it.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

Our forests are not being properly managed because the fear is that loggers will displace an owl by felling a tree, harming the homes of native species, or running out wildlife. But by mismanaging our forests on false practices and data, we have now created the perfect situation for a catastrophic chain reaction that is threatening communities, destroying wildlife habitat, and putting lives of men and women on the line.

Fires that have the opportunity to ignite in these densely over populated tree stands burn faster, more intense, unpredictably, and create their own weather systems within the smoke columns, creating spot fires. Had our forests been managed, right now we would be seeing a lower intensity fire that would crawl along the ground instead of burning up the trees, crowning, and jumping farther and faster. Healthy logging is not clear-cutting. Healthy logging is thinning trees, eliminating the standing dead and diseased, allowing for the conservation of our timberland, creating and maintaining healthy forests for humans to enjoy and for animals to live in, and avoid risking lives of those who are fighting to protect our homes and community.

We need to become informed and act on the knowledge that these forest management policies are just policies. We need to bang down the doors of our elected representatives so that we the people can make a change and create a plan of action so that in the future we may be able to avoid high intensity fires that have been proven to destroy the mineral integrity of the land that it burns, causing it to be uninhabitable. We have the right to be heard and to make a change for the betterment of our community, natural resources, and the wildlife we have the privilege of sharing our forests with.

Our forests have the right to be conserved, not preserved.

Jessica Karraker lives in Ellensburg.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, May 24

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

A Lakewood Middle School eighth-grader (right) consults with Herald Opinion Editor Jon Bauer about the opinion essay he was writing for a class assignment. (Kristina Courtnage Bowman / Lakewood School District)
Youth Forum: Just what are those kids thinking?

A sample of opinion essays written by Lakewood Middle School eighth-graders as a class assignment.

Comment: U.S. diabetes epidemic is far more than medical issue

Much of it has to do with ‘red-lining,’ creating boundaries based on race and economic status.

Comment: Many veterans came home, fighting a war with addiction

Abuse of alcohol and drugs is common among vets, but services are available to individuals and families.

Comment: State worker pay raises behind $10B in tax increases

Gov. Ferguson missed his chance to pare tax increases that will hurt residents and businesses.

Forum: The magic created behind branches of weeping mulberry tree

The mature trees offer a ‘Secret Garden’-like room favored by children, one I hope to return to someday.

Forum: Holding on to hope even as the images fade from view

Like fleeting after-images on our retinas, how do we cope with the longer-felt losses all around us?

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, May 23

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

A visitor takes in the view of Twin Lakes from a second floor unit at Housing Hope’s Twin Lakes Landing II Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Editorial: Housing Hope’s ‘Stone Soup’ recipe for community

With homelessness growing among seniors, an advocate calls for support of the nonprofit’s projects.

Schwab: Words, numbers mean what Trump and cadre say they mean

It’s best if you 86 past and present; they only keep you from accepting what’s happening around you.

Time for age, term limits for all politicians

I think we’re all getting weary about how old and decrepit our… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.