Oklahomans know all about wildfires and how deadly and destructive they can be, especially on wind-driven days such as those this week. Even forest fires in the southeast part of the state get the attention of the state’s forestry department.
Remember those destructive wildfires that raced across Red Cedar tree filled plots of land in central Oklahoma years ago that destroyed dozens and dozens of homes? The plague of Red Cedar trees throughout the state became a hallmark of efforts by former Oklahoma City Rep. Richard Morrissette who unsuccessfully sought a tax break for farmers and ranchers who removed the trees from their land.
Now environmentalists are threatening a lawsuit against the Bureau of Land Management for its efforts to prevent wildfires like those that devastated areas of California and Oregon last year.
The Associated Press reported four conservation groups filed a notice of intent this week in Nevada to sue the U.S. government over its plans to build up to 11,000 miles of fuel breaks. The groups contend the fire breaks, created through herbicides, burning of debris, clearcutting and grazing would violate the Endangered Species Act.
Click here for the Associated Press story.
