These fires are a very big business opportunity to ‘manage’. All the hype about fires has sucked most of the money out of the other responsibilities for public land management. So now when going to a favorite campground, what used to cost $3 a night with a Forest Service employee on site, now it cost $26 with no supervision.

Also they still seem to dither around with a fire for several days before getting serious about putting it out. Perhaps part of the hype?

I’d like less hype and more action. Also, please change the way a fire’s size is reported. They currently report the number of acres burned since the start of the fire… which makes an old fire sound really huge… instead of simply reporting the acres currently on burning.

Suggest all taxpayers take a look at Google Maps at the huge brand new fleet of vehicles these agencies have for fire related. Then look at used truck dealer lots to see all the slightly used federal fire equipment getting dumped to make room for more new purchases.

Years ago they had a reasonable balance to there activities. They controlled range fires with sheep and cattle. They controlled forest fires with timber harvesting… like the Canadians still do.