Quote Originally Posted by rondog View Post
... instead of just letting our forests and homes burn, and our people die?
Seriously? The Lodge Pole Pine is a 100 year tree, most old growth out here is 120-140 years... Well past due in the natural order of things. There would be the blight of Beetle Kill if we (humans) let nature take it's course. Fire is the way the forests rejuvenate. I don't like it, especially with loss of property and loss of life, but if you have a "defendable space" it is far better than relying on Gov't to help/protect you.

There are inherent risks and rewards to living in the mountains and by the oceans... People should do their part to mitigate the risks.