Forest health will not be improved by cutting forests. The science is clear, they need to burn and they will regardless. So what can be done? Plenty. Community based efforts to address at-risk communities and neighborhoods through zoning, building ordinances, and targeted fuel reduction efforts near structures. Coordinated efforts to apply prescribed burn strategies to reduce loads applied outside of fire season to decrease chances of megafire and minimize public health impacts. Last, coordinated communications are required to promote economic, environmental, community benefits. CRF’s approach addresses both community risk and forest health, promotes healthy and controlled burns, building a constituency for sustainable, ecosystem-based solutions via policy and management for the long term.
