by: Jacob Zimmerman
United States forests are beloved by millions of people and provide an excellent opportunity for visitors to enjoy nature. However, our forests have also become a dangerous force of destruction. The western U.S. has endured deadly wildfires for centuries. When settlers first moved into the western United States and the industry expanded in these new western territories, settlers found themselves faced with the challenges of these wildfires.[ii] To combat these wildfires, the National Forest Service instituted a policy of fire suppression.[iii] The purpose of this policy was simple: prevention of fires and quick suppression of fires.[iv] This was the policy of the United States since the 1910s.[v] One of the main aspects of this policy was to oppose the practice of routine intentional burnings to prevent the spread of new wildfires. While this may seem practical, it had the unintended consequence of harming the forest.[vi]
Proper forest management is a pivotal policy in ensuring that large scale wildfires do not grow to the violent levels that we have seen in recent years. When failing to properly manage a forest, the forest begins to grow more fuel for fires.[vii] Fallen trees, dry leaves, and smaller brush all contribute to worsening these wildfires. Without proper measures, this kindling remains in the forests and is fuel for enriching massive fires. The density of the forests may also be to blame.[viii] The fire suppression efforts that were practiced for centuries did not allow nature to run its course when fires started. As a result, smaller trees that would have been burned by fires were able to grow and create much denser forests.[ix] These denser forests then allowed fires to run more rampant as the closely packed trees made it easier for the for the fires to spread.[x]
In 2018, California saw some of the worst wildfires in its history.[xi] The “Camp Fire” became known as the deadliest wildfire in the state’s history, claiming 87 lives. [xii] While the result of centuries of poor forest management was not the only cause of the fire, it did play a very impactful role.[xiii] As a response to these fires, California created the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force and passed Proposition 4 allocating $1.5 billion to wildfire resilience in November 2024.[xiv] As part of its efforts, the California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force began issuing prescribed burns to the state’s forests once again, retracting the centuries old practice of fire suppression.[xv] In October and November of 2024, 914 acres of the Calaveras Big Trees State Park were treated with prescribed burns.[xvi] As a result, these 914 acres will be better fit to fight off wildfires in the future and, should a wildfire start, prevent the mass spread of wildfires as were seen in 2018.
Wildfires can be a very dangerous and deadly force. Without proper forest management policies, the force of these fires can become even more dangerous. However, with proper forest management policies, our forests can once again become a haven for recreation without the impending threat of a new record-breaking wildfire.
[i] Forest History Society, U.S. Forest Service Fire Suppression, Forest History Society, (Last visited Oct. 30, 2025), https://foresthistory.org/research-explore/us-forest-service-history/policy-and-law/fire-u-s-forest-service/u-s-forest-service-fire-suppression/
[ii] Id.
[iii] Id.
[iv] Id.
[v] Id.
[vi] Id.
[vii] Center for Biological Diversity, Fire and Forest Management, Center for Biological Diversity, (Last visited Oct. 30, 2025), https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/programs/public_lands/forests/ecosystem_restoration/fire-and-forest-management.html#
[viii] Id.
[ix] Id.
[x] Id.
[xi] American Forests, Camp Fire, American Forests, (Last visited Oct. 30, 2025), https://www.americanforests.org/project/camp-fire/
[xii] Id.
[xiii] Id.
[xiv] California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force, California Passes Proposition 4- Providing $1.5 Billion for Wildfire Resilience, California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force, (Nov. 5, 2024), https://wildfiretaskforce.org/california-passes-proposition-4-providing-1-5-billion-for-wildfire-resilience/
[xv] California Wildfire & Forest Resilience Task Force, CA State Parks and Partners Treat Over 900 Acres with Beneficial Fire, California Wildfire & Resilience Task Force, (Last visited Oct. 30, 2025), https://wildfiretaskforce.org/ca-state-parks-and-partners-treat-over-900-acres-with-beneficial-fire/
[xvi] Id.