Sage Fire calls
attention to prevention
The Sage
Fire that burned in Warm Springs Canyon last week should have gotten
everyone’s attention by now, but just in case it didn’t we will point
out the obvious: The hills are tinder dry and it takes little to ignite
them.
It’s in
everyone’s interest to avoid kicking off a blaze that could cost
millions to suppress, result in the loss of millions of dollars of
property, threaten lives and asphyxiate the valley’s important summer
tourist season.
It’s a
good bet that Jackson, Wyo., has dropped off the list of destinations for
many visitors this month because of a vast fire that is still burning in
the forest south of the popular town. It drew national attention when it
threatened expensive homes including Vice President Dick Cheney’s.
The east
entrance to Yellowstone National Park also is closed now because of
another fire.
It’s no
secret that Idaho is drought-ridden. Despite the dangers, we still see
hikers who park low-slung vehicles hot from a long drive in brush rather
than on rocky ground.
We see dirt
bikers who ignore the danger and go riding cross country.
We see
people operating equipment near brushy areas who are clueless about what
could happen should a spark be generated.
We see
campers who think nothing of leaving a smoldering campfire behind. Campers
should think twice about having a campfire at all, especially in dispersed
areas. They should always have plenty of water and a shovel handy to
extinguish sparks that may get away.
We see
people continuing to build, and some cities continuing to require, homes
with roofs made of wooden shingles instead of safer fire-rated asphalt
shingles.
The speed
with which the Sage Fire grew from a tiny circle of dry grass and rock
into a blaze that scorched more than 300 acres was stunning.
Without the
force applied to the blaze by determined local and Forest Service fire
fighters, the blaze might still be burning. Residents and visitors,
helpless to stop the advancing flames, watched with admiration and
appreciation as the pros did their dirty, dangerous and exhausting jobs.
Residents
and visitors need to be hyper concerned about fire. The valley’s cities
need to review their building requirements and make sure they require
buildings that discourage the spread of fire. Federal agencies need to do
a better job educating people about the dangers of fire in areas where
development meets public lands.
A little
care will go a long way toward preventing more unnecessary fires.