Concern for wildfire destruction in the Yaak

I am somewhat reluctant to write this letter, but out of necessity I feel compelled to do so.

There is a need to inform people that there are other opinions than those that have been published so far by well known groups. The issue concerns the far northwest corner of Montana called the Yaak.

So far you have read that certain groups or organizations are trying to protect or preserve the Yaak by shutting down logging or closing roads.

These organizations have been successful, through the courts, in doing just that. Unfortunately, that reasoning and litigation has put us, the constituents and residents in a very precarious position.

I have fought fire in five Western states and have seen first hand what can happen if a forest like ours is neglected. The fuel loading in the Yaak is horrendous and the forest is prime for a devastation fire. 

I told our local volunteer fire department that if we get 101 lightning strikes, like we did some years ago, along with wind, we would all have to try to escape. There would be nothing left but one Big Black Hole.

There would be no animals left, no trees, no people and the streams would be clogged with runoff, killing the fish.

These liberals say they want to preserve the Yaak, but do they? From what I have personally observed in five states, I would say these people are dead wrong.

We have lived in the Yaak Valley for almost half a century and I would like to see the Yaak preserved. The closed roads are so overgrown with brush and fallen trees, it is very difficult to rescue disoriented hunters or even firefighters.

I know this is a fact and I hope we don’t end up like California.

Charles Leidigh, Yaak, Montana