Wildfire in the West is a controversial and critical topic! Just over a year ago (June 2018) the 416 fire was within 2 miles of my home.

It was started by a spark from the single track train that runs from Durango up the mountain to Silverton. The train is a big part of the tourist economy that supports the Durango region. Many homes were threatened and on some very arid and hot days there was concern the fire would break the fire line and head to Durango. In the end weather and the great work of wildland firefighters prevailed and the threat at the wildland-urban interface (WUI) was greatly reduced, but the fire was left to burn in the backcountry to the tune of ~58K acres.

There was much debate over the fire itself - how much should be allowed to burn and how close to the WUI it should be allowed to burn. Folks were upset it was even allowed to burn in the back country. Folks were angry there was fire period. Then there were folks who pointed out we chose to live in gorgeous country that in which fire is an ecological process and is good. Now there were no fist fights of which I'm aware, but there were very intensive debates.

Is it good and/or bad and why? Where should lines be drawn in terms of the WUI? Who is ultimately responsible - home owners who live in the WUI and line of fire? Policy makers? Wildland firefighters? Someone else? Each year for the last decade or more we have mega fires and more of them. What should be done?

pur-new-sol

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