U.S. Western wildfires report says region should expect bigger burns more often
(September 18)
Reuters via Huffington Post
A warming trend has contributed to a sharp rise in the number and size of wildfires on forest lands in the U.S. West, where big burns are likely to become the norm, according to a report released on Tuesday by a climate research group.
Forest fire research questions the wisdom of prescribed burns
(September 17)
New York Times
Scientists are at loggerheads over whether there is an ecological advantage to thinning forests and using prescribed fire to reduce fuel for subsequent fires — or whether those methods actually diminish ecological processes and biodiversity.
Draft study proposes thinning Black Hills Forest to control mountain pine beetle
(September 23)
Star Tribune
The U.S. Forest Service proposes thinning portions of the Black Hills National Forest, including 32,300 acres in Wyoming, to stop the mountain pine beetle from killing trees.
Obama blocks Chinese wind farms in Oregon over security
(September, 29)
Reuters
President Barack Obama blocked on Friday a privately owned Chinese company from building wind turbines close to a Navy military site in Oregon due to national security concerns, and the company said it would challenge the action in court.
Al Gore sees ‘dirty weather’ ahead
(September 24)
New York Times
“The weather’s just that – dirty,” Mr. Gore said in the video, which was shown at the three-day Social Good Summit conference. “It’s fueled by dirty fossil fuel and misinformation.” For the November event, Mr. Gore’s Climate Reality Project will stream content about “dirty weather that’s occurred around the world in the last year,” said Maggie L. Fox, the project’s chief executive, who appeared in person to announce the segment.
Wilderness limited: Are we adaptable to crowding and a loss of solitude?
(October 1)
Redlodge Clearinghouse
A study done by the Rocky Mountain Research Station looks not at the questions: What will happen as population grows and management of wilderness becomes increasingly critical? Will we accept a loss of solitude in once soothing places, or will we apply limits to wilderness use?
