Posted by griztrax on August 05, 1997 at 08:38:21:
In Reply to: First Trip posted by ROB on August 05, 1997 at 06:53:50:
The fires were just the latest in a long series of
blazes that have occurred over the centuries. They are
essential to the survival of Yellowstone, opening up
new areas for forage and allowing the lodgepole pine to
re-seed. (The pines need extreme heat for the seeds to open.)
It wasn't so much a matter of wanting or not wanting to put
out the fires. While Y-stone does have a let-burn policy
in certain areas, thank goodness, there was a huge effort made
to control the fires. I know, because I was there. However, the
fires were too large to control and only the arrival of the
snows of winter were able to stop them. If you see a view
from the air, one of the first things you notice is the
patchwork of burns, with a healthy mixture of burned and un-burned
forest. That increases the 'edge' effect, so essential to the
survival of the animals we love to watch.
The fires were needed. Years of over-zealous fire fighting had
left the Park a tinderbox, full of even-aged stands of lodgepole,
along with piles of downed timber. It's a much healthier place now.
The Park management continues to try and protect the resources. Witness
their battle to prevent the Montana Dept. of Livestock from
annihilating the free-roaming herds of bison last winter. They are
also working hard to remove the lake trout some idiot introduced into
Yellowstone Lake and which now threatens the survival of the native
cutthroat. However, funding has been reduced to the point that the Park
officials must often choose between the devil and the deep blue sea. For
instance, the funds previously used for removal of the lake trout may
have to be used now for rounding up bison inside the Park to satisfy
political entities in the states surrounding Yellowstone.
The showers are expensive. It costs a lot to provide the comforts of
home inside what should be wild country. Hopefully, by providing facilities
at such central locations, further developement inside the Park will
never occur. (Wishful thinking?)
For those who seek a wild experience in Yellowstone, park your cars. Get away from
the road and as John Muir said, "Climb the mountains and seek their wild tiding." Only a
few hundred feet from the pavement lies a world of wonder that is beyond compare.
Enjoy!
griztrax.com
: Well, we did it. It was great! Made our first trip to YNP on 6/17, all the way from PA.
: We were all fascinated by so many things that we saw , that were unique to Yellowstone.
: One thing that we were disgruntled about, was the amount of land, that was, as I understand,
: allowed to burn, in the fires of '88. Who made this decision to not stop the destruction?
: I know, I know, it was a natural occurence, so that made it OK. We shouldn't step in. Besides,
: its great for the browsing animals.
: BUT!
: Does that mean that if the grizzlies or cutthroat or, for that matter, the pine trees,get
: some kind of a deadly (naturally occuring) disease,that we shouldn't step in and stop it either?
: I DON'T THINK SO!
: Maybe they were using the same water that you have to pay $3.50 a shower for at the campgrounds.
: I couldn't afford showers for a family of 6 everyday.( $21.00 + campsite fee/day) Maybe they
: couldn't afford to put the fire out!
: SORRY BAD JOKE!
: Anyway. Do you guys agree or disagree with my "Too much burn't" theory?
: We went to Glacier to fulfill our pure mountain scenery needs.
: Great page, helped us a lot on our trip! Sorry to throw out this negative opinion!