What's to Blame for Utah's Wildfires?
None by KCPW
(KCPW News) It's been a devastating wildfire season for Utah and much of the west. And the fire season is only half over. Drought, wind and other natural conditions are much of the problem. But it was only a matter of time before the blame game began. Ranchers and environmentalists are now pointing to failed land management policies - and to each other. KCPW's Julie Rose reports.
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom and Legislative Coverage. Copyright 2009 KCPW
1. Matt said:
I would hope that specialists that know what cheatgrass is rather than than the ecologist who only makes analogies to scabs would have been interviewed for this story. His analogy of cheatgrass as broccoli is not accurate. Having spoken with many extension agents in that region who are experts on cheatgrass, early spring grazing is exactly what is needed to remove that fuel. If you think you're going to reseed with native grasses, and hope they will out-compete with cheatgrass, you're wrong. They can't! Involving other non-natives, such as forage kochia and implementing spring grazing is what's needed. How about interviewing some of the experts rather than partisan fellows like the ecologist. Why don't we interview some range scientists? Utah State University has plenty of them.
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