As people have stated here, the forests need to burn. Ponderosa Pine, which covers a lot of the Western U.S., burns at a cycle between 5-25 years. [1] However,

As people have stated here, the forests need to burn. Ponderosa Pine, which covers a lot of the Western U.S., burns at a cycle between 5-25 years. [1] However, we could and already do, control the natural process this through prescribed burns. The issue is the federal government is appropriating less funds to the Department of the Interior and Forest Service. In fact 2016 will represent, "a decrease of $246 million below the fiscal year 2015." [2] Climate change could potentially shorten these life cycles. We definitely need to spend more to ensure safety and survival of homes and the forest. [1]http://www.nps.gov/fire/wildland-fire/learning-center/fire-in-depth/different-ecosystems/ponderosa-pine.cfm http://www.nps.gov/fire/wildland-fire/learning-center/fire-i... [2] http://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=394247 http://appropriations.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?Doc...