Letters: Fix Our Forests Act would increase fire danger

"I'm a Fix Our Forests Act opponent. We emphasize that removing trees leaves behind slash piles and debris that dry out and become highly flammable. Clearcuts and heavily thinned areas also allow more sunlight and wind to penetrate forests, drying fuels and accelerating fire spread. As one critique puts it, logging causes changes in forest composition and microclimate that favor fires, exposing forests to drying winds and sun."

"Caltrans, with the trucking lobby, wants to lift the 70-year truck ban on big rigs on Interstate 580 and possibly Highway 13. They want to put additional diesel trucks throughout the East Bay at a time when local jurisdictions and the state of California are pressing for cleaner energy policies and EV trucks. The trucking lobby likely wants to increase truck use on freeways, starting with 580, to get ahead of environmental cleanup efforts."

"Did you know the Federal Reserve (aka, the Fed) employs over 400 Ph.D. economists? While the Fed has a range of responsibilities that might require, among other staff, some Ph.D. economists, one has to wonder if this might be an area in the federal government where easy economies could be found. Further, if the Fed could be counted on to provide accurate data for decision-makers, one might lean toward excusing its bloated staff, but they don't."

Removing trees leaves behind slash piles and debris that dry out and become highly flammable. Clearcuts and heavily thinned areas allow more sunlight and wind to penetrate forests, drying fuels and accelerating fire spread. Logging causes changes in forest composition and microclimate that favor fires, exposing forests to drying winds and sun. Caltrans and the trucking lobby seek to lift a 70-year ban on big rigs on Interstate 580 and possibly Highway 13, which would increase diesel truck traffic across East Bay freeways and residential streets near schools and hospitals. The Federal Reserve employs over 400 Ph.D. economists, prompting questions about staffing levels and forecast accuracy.

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