George Wuerthner writes, "Contrary to logging proponents' assertions that thinning/logging will reduce wildfire spread and fire severity, there is abundant evidence that chainsaw medicine increases wildfire spread."
A bill introduced in Congress this week by Colorado Democrats would allocate $60 billion in federal funding for efforts to protect vulnerable forests and watersheds and mitigate wildfire risk throughout the West.
The 2002 drought was a massive catalyst for pests, including the spruce beetle, which in Colorado impacted 1.89 million acres statewide over two decades.