Forest Thinning Ineffective For Limiting Wildfires

Bradley, C. M., C. T. Hanson, and D. A. DellaSala. 2016. Does increased forest protection correspond to higher fire severity in frequent-fire forests of the western United States?

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Link: https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ecs2.1492. “The relationship between forest density/fuel, mechanical fuel treatment, and fire severity is complex.” For instance, thinning without subsequent prescribed fire has little effect on fire severity (see Kalies and yocum Kent 2016) and, in some cases, can increase fire severity (Raymond and Peterson 2005, Ager et al. 2007, Wimberly et al. 2009) and … Read more

Moomaw, W.R., and others (signed by more than 200 climate scientists and ecologists). 2021. Open Letter to President Biden and Members of Congress from Scientists: It is essential to Remove Climate-Harming Logging and Fossil Fuel Provisions from Reconciliation and Infrastructure Bills.

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Link: https://johnmuirproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/ScientistLetterOpposingLoggingProvisionsInBBB_BIF4Nov21.pdf. Key excerpts: “We have watched as one large wildfire after another has swept through tens of thousands of acres where commercial thinning had previously occurred due to extreme fire weather driven by climate change. Removing trees can alter a forest’s microclimate, and can often increase fire intensity.” “ In contrast, forests protected from … Read more

DellaSala, D.A.2022. Testimony for Hearing on “Fighting Fire with Fire:Evaluating the Role of Forest Management in Reducing Catastrophic Wildfires” in the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, Subcommittee on Environment.

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Link: https://oversight.house.gov/sites/democrats.oversight.house.gov/files/DellaSala%20Testimony.pdf. Key excerpts: “The bottom line – Large wildfires burning under extreme fire weather cannot be stopped by suppression, nor controlled by thinning and other forms of logging over large areas. …” Attempting to moderate fire behavior at the local or landscape level, when large fires are mainly tracking global temperature increases and drought, … Read more