Being the largest forest fire in the country, the Derby fire is getting plenty of national attention. While they say it is “devastating a Wilderness Area,” the fire is actually burning on the edge of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Much of the country burned is scenie farm and pasture. The Times is using “wilderness” in a generic fashion.
As with the 1988 fires in Yellowstone, the beauty of the country will return. The devastation is temporary.
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Ralph Maughan
Dr. Ralph Maughan is professor emeritus of political science at Idaho State University with specialties in natural resource politics, public opinion, interest groups, political parties, voting and elections. Aside from academic publications, he is author or co-author of three hiking/backpacking guides, and he is President of the Western Watersheds Project.
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