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This might be an unpopular opinion, but the most natural situation is periodic small fires that reduce the undergrowth and dead wood. There are even species whi
by imglorp 8y ago
This might be an unpopular opinion, but the most natural situation is periodic small fires that reduce the undergrowth and dead wood. There are even species which depend on these small fires for their lifecycles.
Forest managers are probably well schooled in this but unable to use it because people like living in the woods.
When humans interfere with this small-fire process, however, the fuel load increases until there's a massive correcting fire that takes everything standing including the canopy.
- labster 8y agoIt's also a wrong opinion that doesn't understand chaparral ecology. I live in Ventura County, and there's no canopy to speak of. And wildfire here occurs at 2 to 3 times the natural rate. Given all of the anthropogenic ignition sources that occur in dry downslope wind conditions, full fire suppression is the only sane option.
- ummonk 8y agoThat might make sense in large old growth forests. It is completely pointless in grassy areas though.