Fire suppression is an example of human alteration of complex natural systems and the ensuing unforeseen complications. Rather than learning from the native people in the West, who understood the role of fire, settlers suppressed fire allowing the system to get out of balance.

Settlers thought of the natives as ignorant savages so, of course, they didn’t seek their council regarding the land.

Thomas Jefferson, much vilified lately, understood the need to learn from native Americans. Too bad succeeding generations did not emulate Jefferson’s approach.

We’ve put civilization in places it doesn’t belong, made possible through alteration of the environment. It works until it doesn’t, until pent up pressures accumulated over decades reach a tipping point. Such is the case out West.

But let’s just blame it all on climate change.