The largest fire in the state history is burning in Washington. This year's particularly bad fires had predictable, perhaps preventable, origins.
"More than 900,000 acres have already burned this year in Washington wildfires, more than doubling last year’s total, and the Okanogan complex fire is the largest in state history," reports Evan Bush in a feature article examining the cause of this year's devastating wildfire season.
Bush notes that the state's wildfires were predictable, before they became unprecedented. He goes on to list some of the causes for the size and number of conflagrations, with more details describing each:
- The forests and grasslands are not healthy.
- Government spends too little on wildfire-prevention measures.
- Drought has choke Northwest forests of moisture.
- More people are living in wildland areas.
- Climate change won't help.
That penultimate point is worth noting in planning circles—as settlements continue to spread, so too does risk from wildfires.
FULL STORY: Why we have such large wildfires this summer

National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.

Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.

Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.

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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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