Posted: 6/19/2006 10:08:33 PM EDT
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I just read on azfamily.com that the Coconino Forest will be closed on Friday. No hiking, camping, backpacking, etc. will be allowed. It appears use of the lakes in the forest will also be halted. I definitely understand why since a transient started the Brins Fire in Sedona. I live in Flagstaff very close to where the Woody Fire was and that jolted me. Anything that can be done to prevent fires is fine with me. I'll sacrifice using the forest in order to preserve it especially with the current weather conditions. |
| Every minute it is kept from burning means its only going to be that much worse when it DOES go. Fire is the colonic of nature... needs to happen every now and then. Prescribed controlled burns would be an option... but I doubt that can even happen now without losing control of them. |
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You mean a bum? Probably drunk out of his mind anyhow. If I had things my way, you'd never be allowed to drink alcohol in the forest. I'm sure since all the fires are started by humans, according to the USFS, the numbers would fall of the map if people weren't drunk while camping. 
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Personally i'm amazed the Coconino NF is still open. As I write this, it appears as if the Brins fire has become established in Oak Creek. Depending on what the wind does, this could go big, as Oak Creek funnels right into south Flag. Last night I helped gather belongings from a friend's home who is working on a river trip. As far as the transients are considered, why don't the USFS LE units patrol the woods and bust some homeless heads in? The number of vagrants and panhandlers has increased ten-fold in Flagstaff, mostly non-indian folks who are quite aggressive in their approach. Anyways, the woods need to burn, fire is part of the 10-year cycle of a healthy forest, and we have actively suppressed fires for more than 100 years in this area. It pains me to imagine a charred & barren Oak Creek Canyon, not to mention Garland's general store (and old man Garland himself) no longer there. |
WW If you want a very good restaurant recommendation try this: Spirito di DiVino Via dei Genovesi 31 Trastevere Roma Tel: 065896689 http://www.spiritodivino.com/english/index.html I have been there several times, great food and service and you get a tour of their 2nd century BC wine cellar. Rich V |
I firmly agree with you that fire is natural and an integral part to a healthy forest. Years of fire suppression and overgrowth have only increased the risk for great fires. It is interesting to note that as you travel to Sedona along a 89 before approaching the scenic point at the canyon's edge thinning has occurred on the east side of the road and portions of the west. However, the timber and brush have been gathered into large piles in order to dry out and eventually be burned. It the fire happens to make contact with this part of the forest, I believe it will explode into an uncontrollable catastrophe. Also, there is an abrupt point where the thinning ceased and the forest becomes a tightly packed wall of trees with many dead upon the floor and still many others standing but lifeless. God help the fire fighters with this and all other fires, and perhaps in the future we will be able to control our forests more effectively by allowing them to run their natural course. |
you dirty dog...  ETA to keep topic on track: I believe Smokey the Bear has done more harm to the forests than good. |