No problem Wally,

I expressed my one small view of the universe and  I welcome every and all opinions.

My thoughts are that someone at the Forest Service is in charge of deciding whether to put out a fire or let it burn.  They waited too long and let it burn under dry conditions and the result is over 90,000 acres, 145 square miles, and 22 million dollars that resulted in devastation.

I love the old growth forest.  (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links) If a red pine or white pine is getting up to 100 years old then I take notice.  The Forest Service should conduct controlled burns.  But not in extreme dry conditions.  Put out those fires during those conditions.  But conduct controlled burns in less extreme conditions.

It's ironic that there was no fire ban during the extreme conditions of the Ham Lake fire, but last week we had a fire ban on the start of our trip and therefore we escaped to Canada.  I'm just stating the someone needs to make the correct decision and if it took days to decide to put out the Pagami fire that we need new management who know the conditions to make the right decision, because in my opinion someone waited too long to decide.  Therefore, get someone new in charge.

starwatcher

Yes, I'm familiar with teeter-totters and when your on the up side and your friend decides to get off you slam to the ground.  That was the same as the analogous disastrous effects of Pagami fire. They should of let it down in a controlled manner.

starwatcher

I don't know what they make - none of my business really.  What I do know is that the local USFS doesn't get involved on the ground (can't deplete the local labor) and the people fighting the fire are professionals from around the country.  These people are in TX one month and MN the next.  I met 4 guys from NJ who cleaned up the WTC.  Fire if fire to them - no matter where it is.  However, while all of them know fire, they don't know the BWCA.  They did not like the fact that they had to paddle in, portage and carry all their gear.  They were pissed they couldn't get a float plane ride from Insula to Hudson.  Hey, no motorized activity on those lakes!   This is was a pristine wilderness.