Considering the millions of acres of trees, in our forrests, destroyed by fire every year, I had this thought. Should the government open up our forrests for timber. Not clear cutting but selective cutting of older trees. Measures to help cut down on these areas being such a fire hazard. What do you think???

I believe there is a school of thought that forest fires allowed to burn naturally help to clear out the accumulation of underbrush and actually benefit the forests in many ways. Periodic fires caused by lightning, when not interfered with by man's intervention can actually prevent the calamitous wildfires that wse have experienced in recent years. I personally think it is just one more example of man sticking his nose into nature's way and screwing up the works.

Some states have already instituted programs in forest management, although I don't know to what extent they prevent forest fires, or if that is necessarily even the main goal.

In Washington state, the Department of Corrections pays selected inmates 40c per hour for their help in Washington forests removing trees marked by the Department of Parks or Forestry to thin out the growth. (I don't think they address undergrowth.)

I think that's money well-spent.

Another thing we do in Washington that other states may or may not is the replacement of harvested trees. Weyerhauser (a paper products manufacturer) clearcuts and replants in designated areas. You can drive through many parts of the state and see entire areas of trees planted in suspiciously straight lines and all the same heighth and girth (same age). There are a few like this in my area.