Kat - I CANNOT believe you are Westerner!

The western U.S. is a "fire-chapperal." Nature INTENDED it to be burned through every 20-30-50 years....it is part of the ecological process. Some seeds don't even germinate until after they have been "toasted."

The archaic "Smokey the Bear" mentality which you are espousing is what gave birth to the horrificly devastating forest fires we have seen this season.

Forests are a sustainable and renewable resource. (Just like corn, tomatoes, and (the lettuce/brocholi you should right now))

You need a basic course in earth-science QUICK!

Sincerely,
Gargoyle