A High Uintas Bookshelf

In this column we’ll list 2-4 interesting articles, books or the like that have caught our attention. They aren’t necessarily recent or recently read-- sort of a random compilation. Within a year, hopefully, we’ll have an established and detailed reading list. It won’t be complete without your additions. Please send suggestions and a descriptive sentence or two.

This month’s review is by HUPC Coordinator Dick Carter.

Wildfire. A Century of Failed Forest Policy. George Wuerthner, Ed. Foundation for Deep Ecology and Island Press. 2006
A big book in every sense of the word. Authored by almost two dozen conservationists, scientists, ecologists and economists, it tells the story that wild fires are part and parcel of forests, indeed, part and parcel of wildness. The nearly obsessive fire fighting mentality has clearly done more harm than good by every measurement. The book is clear, concise and powerful, and, along with its dozens of stunning photographs, is worth the read. Old Smoky the Bear, while undergoing a slight modification of his persona by the Forest Service, should simply retire. People know not to play with matches. It is way past time, however, that we all learn the importance, the inevitability and powerful ecological force of wild fires.