Flames in Our Forest [Hardcover]

Stephen F. Arno (Author), Stephen Allison-Bunnell (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1559638826 | ISBN-13: 978-1559638821 | Publication Date: April 1, 2002 | Edition: 1

Shaped by fire for thousands of years, the forests of the western United States are as adapted to periodic fires as they are to the region's soils and climate. Our widespread practice of ignoring the vital role of fire is costly in both ecological and economic terms, with consequences including the decline of important fire-dependent tree and undergrowth species, increasing density and stagnation of forests, epidemics of insects and diseases, and the high potential for severe wildfires. Flames in Our Forest explains those problems and presents viable solutions to them. It explores the underlying historical and ecological reasons for the problems associated with our attempts to exclude fire and examines how some of the benefits of natural fire can be restored. Chapters consider: - the history of American perceptions and uses of fire in the forest - how forest fires burn - effects of fire on the soil, water, and air - methods for uncovering the history and effects of past fires - prescribed fire and fuel treatments for different zones in the landscape Flames in Our Forest presents a new picture of the role of fire in maintaining forests, describes the options available for restoring the historical effects of fires, and considers the implications of not doing so. It will help readers appreciate the importance of fire in forests and gives a nontechnical overview of the scientific knowledge and tools available for sustaining western forests by mimicking and restoring the effects of natural fire regimes.

Editorial Reviews

Review

oThis well-written book provides good reading for anyone interested in western forests, their environment, ecology and great beauty; or for someone who owns a home or land in a forested area.o --Robert D. Hook, Electronic Green Journal

About the Author

Stephen F. Arno, now retired, was research forester with the USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station in Missoula, Montana. He is co-editor of Whitebark Pine Communities, (Island Press, 2000). Steven Allison-Bunnell is a science writer and educational multimedia producer based in Missoula, Montana.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 245 pages
• Publisher: Island Press; 1 edition (April 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559638826
• ISBN-13: 978-1559638821
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,898,798 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best summary of the current fire environment in North America today, June 28, 2007

By 

F. Carroll - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flames in Our Forest (Paperback)

Steve Arno is one of America's premier fire scientists. A solid professional with a knack for writing about technical things in layman's terms, Arno's book is 180 pages of succinct, highly readable, very accurate writing about this critical issue. What is happening with fire in America today? Why does it matter? What do we know? What have we learned? What can we do about it? If you don't read another book about fire, this is the one. Arno's followup, Mimicking Nature's Fire, is an outstanding primer on prescribed fire. I can't wait for Steve's next effort. This is the kind of science that anyone can understand and his conclusions that fire is both necessary and out of balance are compelling, as are his recommendations for where we go from here. To continue to suffer fires like the recent Tahoe disaster, human-caused in every way, with a book like this already showing us the way to more responsible living in the fire environment is just criminal malpractice on the part of citizens and angencies who continue to ignore the truths that Arno so clearly sees. Read this book and then buy a copy for your Senator.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Why We Need a Policy Shift in Wildland Fire Fighting, August 18, 2008

By 

Frederick S. Goethel "wildcatcreekbooks" (Central Valley, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flames in Our Forest (Paperback)

During this past summer, at least 12 firefighters have died tragically while fighting fires in California forests. Most, if not all, of these deaths occurred while battling fires that were natural occurring, lightning sparked fires in wilderness areas that were miles away from any buildings, towns or property of value.

Since fire exclusion became policy in our forests, the amount of fuel has increased steadily to the point where of forests, particularly in wilderness areas, are tinder boxes ready to explode. Some of that happened this summer, but there are many millions of acres in the West in a similar position. In addition to risking lives, we are spending millions and millions of dollars to protect something that really does not need protection.

This book offers a reasonable alternative to continued fire suppression in wildland areas and offers solutions that are workable and will return forests to their natural states. It is well written, heavily footnoted and presented in a style that allows readers with a minimum amount of knowledge of the science to be able to understand the information. Highly recommended!