The eco-freaks in the 70s came up with the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act that have resulted in endlessly time-consuming and cost-prohibitive restrictions and requirements that have made the scientific management of our forests virtually impossible," McClintock went on to say. "Timber sales from the federal lands have dropped 80 percent in the intervening years, with a concomitant increase in forest fires. In California alone, the number of sawmills has dropped from 149 in 1981 to just 27 today."
Tey stopped logging – resulting in the lost of many jobs, and allowed the forests to become overgrown. Once healthy trees suffered to become fire-prone. Healthy trees rebound quickly after fires.
“After 45 years of experience with these environmental laws – all passed with the promise they would improve the forest environment – I think we are entitled to ask, 'How is the forest environment doing?' All around us, the answer is damning. These laws have not only failed to improve our forest environment – they are literally killing our forests," McClintock concluded.
Are there solutions? Yes.
Impose stiff penalties for people who cause wildfires either through neglect or pyromania;
Allow for the clearing out of dead trees and bushes above environmental groups' concerns for "dead plants over live people;"
Pass new laws for "wide-enough" barriers between hillside homes and wild brush to stop the spread of flames and sparks;
Provide funding to purchase more planes and helicopters to help with firefighting.
Much more @ How California Fuels Its Own Fires: 'Families Suffering Trauma and Harm Because of Bad State Government'
