top of page
image.png

The Problem

Dry forests of the Northwest evolved to experience wildfires. Due to many factors, we began to suppress wildfires in the early 1900s. Due to technological advancements, in the 1950s and 1960s, the U.S. Forest Service became particularly efficient and putting out wildfires. As a results, dry forests that experienced period fires (~10 years), experienced no wildfires. As a results, forests became very dense. When fires occur in these dense forests, that are hotter and more damaging than when wildfires occurred periodically. An example is seen in the above picture - taken after the Carlton Complex fire in Okanogan County. For an excellent (and more detailed) overview of the challenges facing dry forests and  the management of those forests, see Paul Hessburg's TED talk on the issue.

​

Below is an example of how dry forests in the Northwest looked before and after the period of fire suppression.

Bethel_Ridge_sourec_Paul_Hessburg.png

Dry forests in Washington State in 1936 and 2012. Photo Credit: Paul Hessburg.

bottom of page