The Federalist: What Wildfires Can Teach Us About How To Fight Cultural Contagions

 

As we consider the cost of wildfires on our public lands, we should notice the parallels to the wildfires in our culture.

So far this year 47,463 wildfires have burned 6,838,826 acres, according to a report released from the National Interagency Coordination Center on August 31. Although that’s 8 percent fewer fires than average, it’s about 20 percent more acres burned.

Interesting statistics though they be, they don’t tell the human cost. We get a better sense of that when we bring it closer to home. The Britania Mountain fire near Wheatland, Wyoming, is just one of these 47,000 fires, and a rather modest one at that. Still, it has consumed more than 26,000 acres, 18 structures, and cost $2.6 million. As I write, it still threatens further homes, sage grouse habitats, and energy infrastructure.

Don’t forget the smoke...

Continue reading on the Federalist.