Congress should treat the "root cause" of catastrophic wildfires

by Sonny LaSalle, Executive Director, Big Sky Coalition

Two bills currently before the U.S. House focus primarily on funding for fire suppression. Funding is an important part of the solution equation, but it is only half the solution. Treating half of the problem is analogous to a patient with intense pain, where the doctor prescribes a strong painkiller without identifying or treating the root cause.

There are three components to the root cause: climate, number of trees, and Forest Service management challenges.

Link to Clark Fork Chronicle article.