Environment

Southern California forest fires

Here are some of the different uses of the forest fires that raged in southern California, USA, this month: The Washington Post reported that the fire "whipped" the us Senate into granting preliminary bipartisan approval to a bill that aims to expand forest-thinning operations and limit anti-logging operations

DTE Staff

Southern California Forest Fires

Here are some of the different uses of the forest fires that raged in southern California, usa, this month: The Washington Post reported that the fire "whipped" the us Senate into granting preliminary bipartisan approval to a bill that aims to expand forest-thinning operations and limit anti-logging operations.

Meanwhile, a WorldNet Daily.com article blames "ecoterrorists" -- who don't allow logging -- for the fire. The article, a neo-conservative rant, uses the fire to hurl sulphur and brimstone on environmentalists in general.

But both stories ignore ecological realities, if a report in the San Jose Mercury is to be believed. The report says: "Most of the 5,60,231 acres that have burned so far are in areas with few trees -- (they are) hilly expanses where homes perch amid the highly flammable chaparral that characterises much of California's landscape."