Editor’s note follows the executive summary of Camp 70 ‘Wildfire Position (February 2022) presented by team member Ron Serrotuti.
Camp ’70 team, primarily retired professional forest team, graduated in 1972 with a BS degree in forestry from the University of California, Forestry. Some have advanced degrees, including at least one PhD. We all arrived in 1970 at the UC Forest Camp near Quincy, California. The team members have a variety of skills, including public, private industry, urban forestry development, education and consulting. Most members in California hold or hold a registered Professional Foster (RPF) license. Camp ’70 Foresters gather in 2021 in response to Dixie and Caldor fires. Our former classmates made the following eight tips to deal with Western wildfires.
1. Reduce the density of wild plants in Western US forests
2. The control system, which has been in control of the private and public forest management for the past forty years, must be corrected as it is the primary cause of uncontrolled forest development.
Advertisement
3. Billions of “new money” should be given each year instead of transferring or transferring money into the federal and state budgets.
4. Camp ’70 recommends incentives that include supply assurance, grants, taxes and other incentives to encourage larger and more competitive forest products industry and infrastructure.
5. Seasonal Air Quality Adjustment Burning Limits It is necessary to optimize the prescribed fire when forested basins are properly burned.
6. Relax the barriers to exporting timber collected from national forests.
7. Assign a “new fund” to Fireland-City Interface (WUI) Fire Safety.
8. The federal, tribal, state and local governments are partners in implementing these recommendations.
Camp ’70 early realized that the problem of Western wildfires was complex. We discussed many issues, options, and solutions and decided to focus on the most important ones. Most of the members of our team are retired forests who do not receive compensation from any government or private body for the positions taken in this article. Our recommendations and comments are straightforward. Camp 70’s comments are designed to educate the public and representatives on what needs to be done to solve the problem without dancing around the red tape, over-control and some seemingly objectionable practices. Fire season is here. Now is the time to take action against well-educated, experienced foresters and other professional forest managers.
Advertisement
Camp ’70 Western Wildfires can be reviewed on the website of the California Forestry Association (SAF). -Ron Cerruti, Camp ’70 Foresters. [email protected]
