Jack, thanks for writing this. My father-in-law worked on that hydroelectric plant many years ago; both of my brothers-in-law grew up in Tollhouse. My family and I were just paddleboarding at Shaver Lake last month, staying at a rental cabin, and having a great time. Hiked through the camp area at Huntington. Visited the Redwoods at McKinley. A beautiful place...so sorry this is happening there, but glad your family (and all those in that area) seem to be safe.
Jack, first time long time: I wanted to say that this was beautifully written and an absolute pleasure to read, despite the grim subject matter. Thanks for what you do.
First, sending positive vibes to you and your parents, Jack. I can't imagine what that's like.
Second, if anybody else out there is in SF, vote for Jackie Fielder! She's proposing an indigenous wildfire task force to look at implementing policy indigenous land management strategies. She calls attention to the Karuk Climate Adaptation Plan, which already has actionable plans.
"I kissed one of my first crushes in a friend’s cabin near Shaver, and got drunk in the summer at keg parties thrown so deep in the mountains that they got broken up by the Forest Service."
Sorry to hear about this Jack. I too have felt like everything I grew up with will eventually burn down with the fires these past four years. People are so traumatized from evacuating year after year. I’m glad your family is safe.
Regarding your comments on clear cutting..... Ponderosa pine forests are not clearcut. it is done selectively and is called forst management. In the Northwest, Oregon and Washington, they do clearcut Douglas Fir because it requires open sunlight to regrow. There, forest management means replanting the clearcut areas and in 40 years, the trees are ready to cut again. My Dad was in the US Forest Service for 35 years. 17 summers in Big Creek as the District Ranger of the Pinridge District, Sierra National Forest. He woud be heart-broken to see this happening.
I feel for you. As a new-ish San Diego resident we haven't had any significant impact from fires yet, but the neighborhood near us apparently burned down a decade ago.
I completely agree that more fires are needed, and that fire prevention of the last century (plus global warming) has wrought the disasters we're seeing now. One thing though - with an estimate of 4.4-11m acres naturally burning per year, rural communities would continue to see these impacts regardless. You can't just have controlled fires in remote areas, because that would bring no benefit to areas were people live. If there are going to be any communities in forested areas, they will see fires no matter what.
Jack, thanks for writing this. My father-in-law worked on that hydroelectric plant many years ago; both of my brothers-in-law grew up in Tollhouse. My family and I were just paddleboarding at Shaver Lake last month, staying at a rental cabin, and having a great time. Hiked through the camp area at Huntington. Visited the Redwoods at McKinley. A beautiful place...so sorry this is happening there, but glad your family (and all those in that area) seem to be safe.
Well said.
Good work that man. Still here. Having a beer.
This sucks (the situation you, your parents, and the rest of the world are in, not your writing).
Man, I feel you. My hometown here in Oregon is being evacuated now.
thanks for writing this — i'm glad your parents are safe.
Jack, first time long time: I wanted to say that this was beautifully written and an absolute pleasure to read, despite the grim subject matter. Thanks for what you do.
First, sending positive vibes to you and your parents, Jack. I can't imagine what that's like.
Second, if anybody else out there is in SF, vote for Jackie Fielder! She's proposing an indigenous wildfire task force to look at implementing policy indigenous land management strategies. She calls attention to the Karuk Climate Adaptation Plan, which already has actionable plans.
It's America, so business over everything. Profits over people. Bottom line over the planet. RIP
"I kissed one of my first crushes in a friend’s cabin near Shaver, and got drunk in the summer at keg parties thrown so deep in the mountains that they got broken up by the Forest Service."
This is beautiful.
Thank you for your post and sharing your thoughts...I can’t imagine your pain , but you made me feel it. I’m sorry, isn’t enough.
Sorry to hear about this Jack. I too have felt like everything I grew up with will eventually burn down with the fires these past four years. People are so traumatized from evacuating year after year. I’m glad your family is safe.
Regarding your comments on clear cutting..... Ponderosa pine forests are not clearcut. it is done selectively and is called forst management. In the Northwest, Oregon and Washington, they do clearcut Douglas Fir because it requires open sunlight to regrow. There, forest management means replanting the clearcut areas and in 40 years, the trees are ready to cut again. My Dad was in the US Forest Service for 35 years. 17 summers in Big Creek as the District Ranger of the Pinridge District, Sierra National Forest. He woud be heart-broken to see this happening.
Really good, definitely sharing.
I'm so sorry you're going through this. Stay safe
I feel for you. As a new-ish San Diego resident we haven't had any significant impact from fires yet, but the neighborhood near us apparently burned down a decade ago.
I completely agree that more fires are needed, and that fire prevention of the last century (plus global warming) has wrought the disasters we're seeing now. One thing though - with an estimate of 4.4-11m acres naturally burning per year, rural communities would continue to see these impacts regardless. You can't just have controlled fires in remote areas, because that would bring no benefit to areas were people live. If there are going to be any communities in forested areas, they will see fires no matter what.