from
Peggy Zetler, Dillon -Montana
On
April 27, 2004 the National Weather Service issued a
severe Œfire weather watch for SW Montana.
Cold would come in high pushing high winds to the ground
and trapping the heat which will suck all humidity.
Things in these conditions can almost spontaneously
burn and any spark equals disaster. Locals had never
heard of a fire weather watch but seems they will now
be routine. Locals also never knew there was a term
beyond extreme for drought and fire danger. There is.
The word is Exceptional. That is what we are experiencing.
The same day of the fire weather watch I spoke with
a county commissioner having him further explain the
watch. He said that they called the watch because of
the exceptional conditions. No ditch burning, no anything
related to fuels or fire was allowed. Shortly after
the issue the US Forest Service called to tell the county
they would burn as planned regardless of the warning.
The FS is being investigated for mismanagement and excessive
spending related to fires as well as other more incriminating
inquiries such as starting fires or fabricating data
for self serving reasons. Many locals have watched the
authorities in action and are totally disgusted. The
fighters and locals desire and do the hard and dangerous
work with the goal of stopping the fires, particularly
when they endanger habitat, property or would wipe out
a healthy forest. Its the Œpowers that be that
seem to have other agendas.
This
relates to Yellowstone, the drought, deep wells and
the like. Trees are needed to recharge ground water
and aquifers. Without trees or vegetation the ground
water does not recharge. Add depletion by deep wells
and waterway mismanagement favoring big agribusiness
and it spells implode.
The tourist season for Yellowstone usually official
begins on Memorial day at the end of May. No PR as yet
from the Park about what will or will not be open. My
guess is they will wait to the last minute in hopes
of keeping what tourist traffic they can regardless
of safety. With fires expected thus no mountains to
see, high gas prices, no fishing etc..
Tourists season does not look good and so a money maker
like the park will want to encourage all they can regardless
of conditions.
may 4, 2004
For
More,
Go to :
http://www.apreis.org/Yellowstone.php
The Sustainability
of Imaginary
