Richard Halsey, discussed in Judith Lewis’ story “The
Chaparralian,” should not assume that because lightning-caused
fires in coastal California are rare, all fire there is
historically rare (HCN,
2/04/08).
In his book Forgotten Fires: Native
Americans and the Transient Wilderness, anthropologist Omer C.
Stewart argues persuasively, using documentation and physical
evidence, that for thousands of years, residents of this continent
have regularly used fire to burn grasslands and forest understory
for a variety of reasons. He quotes the journals of 18th century
Spanish explorers in Southern California, who complain frequently
of lack of grazing for their animals because the grass had been
burned by “the heathen.”
Stewart contends that, because
human beings in North America have used fire to shape their
environment for thousands of years, we must consider man-made fire
to be a natural ecological force.
Stewart’s book is
essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the effects of
fire on the environment, and for anyone in a position to influence
government policy toward fire.
Eric Rush
Wilmington, Ohio
This article appeared in the print edition of the magazine with the headline (Man-made) smoke gets in your eyes.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
