ARIZONA, USA   11/6/2001 In the Ponderosa National Forest in Arizona, USA, David is joined by Dr. Stephen Pyne for a webcast which focuses on the part fire plays in the balance of nature. (For background info click here.)

5		Stephen's response to this question from BB: I would guess there are people who are afraid jobs in fire management and lumber that would be lost if wildfires are allowed to go unchecked. Are there jobs that might be created as well? Read or Print Transcription
		1  2  3  4  >5<  6  7  8  9  10  (Can't see the video? HELP)

Clip 1:  David introduces us to the location and to Dr. Stephen Pyne.  VIEW NOW Clip 2:  Stephen's response to this question from Grace: What are the benefits of unchecked forest fires?  VIEW NOW Clip 3:  David's response to this question from Grit Laskin: So many forests are gone because of negative human interference. Don't we now have to continue to intervene in a corrective way to preserve what little forested areas we have left?  VIEW NOW Clip 4:  Stephen and David respond to this question from Jane: What process does Stephen recommend to keep humans and other animals out of danger while allowing forest fires to burn?  VIEW NOW Clip 5:  You're watching this one now. Clip 6:  Stephen and David respond to this question from Lara Ellis: Hi -- it would be nice to hear Stephen discuss whether it is possible/desirable to mimic natural disturbance in managed forests successfully - or not. For instance in Ontario, Canada there is currently a proposed government guideline that would allow for 10,000 ha (or perhaps even larger) clearcuts to mimic forest fires. While the cuts would have some similarities to natural patterns found in forest fires (e.g. standing trees left, and irregularly shaped - no straight line boundaries) there are obvious differences. What do you think of trying to "emulate natural disturbances" in managed landscapes -- and how much do we need to keep in a natural state (through largely unmanaged protected areas) so that there is a "balance".  VIEW NOW Clip 7:  David's response to this question from Linda: I'm interested in your reference to the role of "seemingly destructive forces" in the sacred balance. I know that fires help some trees to release their seeds and that the older, better established trees can live through a forest fire. Every element has its cataclysmic aspect whether itıs tornadoes, tsunami, earthquakes or forest fires and volcanoes. What can we learn from these forces of nature?  VIEW NOW Clip 8:  Stephen responds to this question from Bruce: Apparently the Bush Administration and Forest Service are playing on the public's fear of fire to justify massive logging projects across 30 million acres of National Forests throughout the West. These logging projects, which the Administration and Forest Service refer to as "thinning" or "fuels reduction" projects, have the potential to greatly increase logging within America's public national forests, and the Fort Valley timber sale in the Coconino National Forest near Flagstaff, Arizona seems to be the poster child for the type of "thinning" they envision over 30 million acres of National Forests. I would be very interested in David and Stephen's opinions on this subject.  VIEW NOW Clip 9:  Stephen's response to this questions from Mac: I'm interested in what has been referred to as "deep ecology" versus "shallow environmentalism." In Arizona, there has been a move to reintroduce the Mexican wolf. Do people, particularly ranchers, go along with such reintroductions, which may be primarily for the animal's sake rather than the benefit of humans?  VIEW NOW Clip 10:  Stephen and David respond to this question from Lucas: I'm nine years old. My question is: Do you think people are afraid of fire in itself or by imagining what would happen to them in a fire?  VIEW NOW		Baffin Island, Canada Haida Gwaii, Canada Australia Bali New Mexico, USA South Africa Snowdome, Canada Arizona, USA Varanasi, India Bella Bella, Canada Cusco, Peru Brazil
NOTE: On webcast pages we edit message board questions for length. To see complete questions (which often contain interesting information) visit our message board.