Don Jonas

For one, too much removal of species that are naturally fire resistant in place of others that have more commercial value, but burn good. People on the west coast have been warned about these things for a while now. Tree huggers may have also contributed to this problem, by insisting that old growth be left in place, that nature should be allowed to take its course. Well, nature has taken its course.

Leaving old growth is letting nature take its course. I agree that removing deciduous growth is a mistake but most logged forest is replanted in the same species. Climate change and warmer winters have also resulted in mountain pine beetle infestations that are decimating western pine forests, adding to the fire risk.  California has been in drought conditions since 2011.

The fact remains, you can't rake a whole damn forest.

Trump also seems not to understand that those Finnish forests are covered in snow this time of the year, not sitting in 30 degree weather, dry as a bone.