Berkeley Planning Journal

Last summer's fires in Yellowstone National Park and other public lands -- and the federal government's response to these disasters -­ have led to a renewed public debate in the United States on forest-fire­ fighting policies. At stake are the new "let it burn" policies, which allow forest fires of natural origin to burn in a controlled situation. Though the U.S. Park Service was severely criticized during the 1988 fire season for apparent neglect of its forest resources, the Service continues to main­ tain its case for burning, citing the positive long-term effect of fires.