This week’s question: Do you agree with the Crossover Project, a proposed plan for the Nantahala National Forest involving timber harvesting, prescribed burning and more?
- Yes, this will restore ecosystems and reduce wildfire risk.
- No, this plan could damage the surrounding environment.
- I’m not sure.
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“I think it’s a good idea to do the prescribed burning because it’s gonna help regenerate our forests and take our forest
fires to a minimum. They’ll know what’s going on and how to protect the structures around it.”
Sarah Woody, Ranger
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“Prescribe burning is good. I used to do it myself working for the U.S. Forest Service at the Winema National Forest in Oregon in the early 1990s. We did prescription burns to reduce fire hazard loads from logging operations as well as dead down materials. It also provides better nutrients back to the soil for a healthier forest.
“Without doing that, many times a forest can choke itself out by growing too thick. This is natural selection and thinning that also helps reduce wildfires.
The burns are well managed, usually by extremely well qualified and trained individuals within the Forest Service, so I agree with it 100%.”
Salvatore Richard, Culberson
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“It’s definitely better to do prescribed burns than to just leave it. If the underbrush catches and gets out of control, it takes a really long time to put out. I think it’s definitely safer and much smarter to do the prescribed burns; it also helps open up the environment.
“That’s all forestry does, they’re trained in keeping it controlled. They’ll create lines around the fire to make sure it doesn’t get out of control.”
Skyler Reinhardt, Ranger
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“Prescribed burns are good, absolutely. It prevents things from getting out of control. It burns a lot of the underbrush that just creates trouble.”
Geoffrey Wells, Ranger
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“Prescribe burns are beneficial to the environment because it burns the brush down and gives nutrients to the dirt. It should be done by somebody who is certified and trained to do so.”
Katie Singleton
Murphy