I have zero training in forest management, but I believe the Forest Service may want to hire me anyhow to teach them a basic fire management principle: throw a burning cigarette butt into the Olympic National Forest in Washington State and what happens? Nothing. Do the same in a tinder dry forest in the Southwest and what happens – a catastrophic wildfire.

How long will it take them to figure this out?

Ron Vernesoni

Sedona, Ariz.