In the late 80's, early 90's, the Sierra NF would sell over 160 million board feet per year. They now sell less than 20 some years less than 10 This is less than 10% of the annual growth rate. It now takes years to complete a sale becausenearly every one ends up in court. The harvest from the Sierra used to support 3 sawmills and hundreds of families, No longer.

Re the change in the USFS approach to fighting fires, they now often light backfires miles away from the main fire, there is little to no direct attack once a fire gets to be more than a few acres. There is a saying in the mountains. How does the Forest Service put out a grease fire in a kitchen? They light a backfire in the livingroom.