Forest fires' timing sets tongues wagging

http://www.oregonlive.com/search/ind...?oregonian?lcg

Forest fires' timing sets tongues wagging

08/27/03
MICHAEL MILSTEIN

An emerging whodunit in Central Oregon hovers amid the smoke draping the
east side of the Cascade Range.

Can it be pure coincidence, locals are asking, that two wildfires sprang
up in view of the spot where President Bush planned to promote his plan
to thin forests for wildfire prevention?

And that they both appeared just as his plans emerged?

"I think everyone in the community here is wondering that," said Judy
Wattier, who works at the KOA Campground just east of Sisters, where
business is in the doldrums because of the blazes that have covered
almost 40,000 acres in the nearby Deschutes National Forest. "Everyone
I've mentioned it to can talk about it for hours."

There are whispered conspiracy theories, even rumors of mysterious black
helicopters clattering over the forest shortly before the fires were
spotted the afternoon of Aug. 19, two days before the president's visit.

But perhaps folks can be forgiven for that, because there really were
black helicopters clattering over the forest.

"Typically the Secret Service does all kinds of aerial surveillance
before the president comes in," said Don Ferguson, an information
officer for what have become known as the B&B complex fires. "They
pretty much know the location of every tree."

The president had planned to speak in Camp Sherman, but the fires forced
the evacuation of the small resort town about the time he would arrive.
He flew over the blazes in Marine One and spoke in Redmond instead.

U.S. Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and
White House press officers fended off questions from reporters at the
speech about the curious timing of the fires. "It would be inappropriate
for us to speculate about that," presidential spokesman Ken Lisaius said.

Ferguson said he's taken several calls from area residents saying they
think the fires appear suspicious.

This much is known: No lightning that might have sparked fires had
struck the area for at least 11 days before the twin blazes were
sighted, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center in
Portland. The Central Oregon Dispatch Center in Prineville first
suggested lightning had hit a few days before, but meteorologists
checked records and dispelled that.

Trees or debris ignited by lightning may smolder for a few days before
blooming into a blaze. But 11 days is an awfully long time to wait.

"It is unusual, but not unprecedented," Ferguson said. A
lightning-caused fire near Ashland sputtered for 10 days before taking
off earlier this year, he said.

The coincidences multiply considering the two fires erupted about 10
miles apart at almost the same time, although winds that whipped through
the region might explain that. The Booth fire started near Round Lake, a
camping spot next to the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, while the Bear
Butte fire began in the wilderness, away from roads.

The Central Oregon Arson Task Force will investigate the blazes, but
flames have kept officers from beginning their inquiry.

Lightning starts about 15 percent of wildfires, according to the
National Interagency Fire Center.

People start the rest.

BAaloney! You're out of your freakin mind! Trying to link the President
to forrest fires.

edo wrote:
> http://www.oregonlive.com/search/ind...?oregonian?lcg
>
> Forest fires' timing sets tongues wagging
>
> 08/27/03
> MICHAEL MILSTEIN
>
> An emerging whodunit in Central Oregon hovers amid the smoke draping the
> east side of the Cascade Range.
>
> Can it be pure coincidence, locals are asking, that two wildfires sprang
> up in view of the spot where President Bush planned to promote his plan
> to thin forests for wildfire prevention?
>
> And that they both appeared just as his plans emerged?
>
> "I think everyone in the community here is wondering that," said Judy
> Wattier, who works at the KOA Campground just east of Sisters, where
> business is in the doldrums because of the blazes that have covered
> almost 40,000 acres in the nearby Deschutes National Forest. "Everyone
> I've mentioned it to can talk about it for hours."
>
> There are whispered conspiracy theories, even rumors of mysterious black
> helicopters clattering over the forest shortly before the fires were
> spotted the afternoon of Aug. 19, two days before the president's visit.
>
> But perhaps folks can be forgiven for that, because there really were
> black helicopters clattering over the forest.
>
> "Typically the Secret Service does all kinds of aerial surveillance
> before the president comes in," said Don Ferguson, an information
> officer for what have become known as the B&B complex fires. "They
> pretty much know the location of every tree."
>
> The president had planned to speak in Camp Sherman, but the fires forced
> the evacuation of the small resort town about the time he would arrive.
> He flew over the blazes in Marine One and spoke in Redmond instead.
>
> U.S. Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth, Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski and
> White House press officers fended off questions from reporters at the
> speech about the curious timing of the fires. "It would be inappropriate
> for us to speculate about that," presidential spokesman Ken Lisaius said.
>
> Ferguson said he's taken several calls from area residents saying they
> think the fires appear suspicious.
>
> This much is known: No lightning that might have sparked fires had
> struck the area for at least 11 days before the twin blazes were
> sighted, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center in
> Portland. The Central Oregon Dispatch Center in Prineville first
> suggested lightning had hit a few days before, but meteorologists
> checked records and dispelled that.
>
> Trees or debris ignited by lightning may smolder for a few days before
> blooming into a blaze. But 11 days is an awfully long time to wait.
>
> "It is unusual, but not unprecedented," Ferguson said. A
> lightning-caused fire near Ashland sputtered for 10 days before taking
> off earlier this year, he said.
>
> The coincidences multiply considering the two fires erupted about 10
> miles apart at almost the same time, although winds that whipped through
> the region might explain that. The Booth fire started near Round Lake, a
> camping spot next to the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, while the Bear
> Butte fire began in the wilderness, away from roads.
>
> The Central Oregon Arson Task Force will investigate the blazes, but
> flames have kept officers from beginning their inquiry.
>
> Lightning starts about 15 percent of wildfires, according to the
> National Interagency Fire Center.
>
> People start the rest.
>

edo wrote:

>
> Forest fires' timing sets tongues wagging
>
> An emerging whodunit in Central Oregon hovers amid the smoke draping the
> east side of the Cascade Range.
>
> Can it be pure coincidence, locals are asking, that two wildfires sprang
> up in view of the spot where President Bush planned to promote his plan
> to thin forests for wildfire prevention?
>


Since you asked, the answer is yes.

By the way, are these 'locals' just as anon-e-mouse as you? That wind
you see whipping the fires into a frenzy are the down draft from all
those black helicopters circling your hovel.

Wataputz!!!

--
Dave
(The Other)

Dave Thompson wrote in message news:...
> edo wrote:
>
> >
> > Forest fires' timing sets tongues wagging
> >
> > An emerging whodunit in Central Oregon hovers amid the smoke draping the
> > east side of the Cascade Range.
> >
> > Can it be pure coincidence, locals are asking, that two wildfires sprang
> > up in view of the spot where President Bush planned to promote his plan
> > to thin forests for wildfire prevention?
> >
>
>
> Since you asked, the answer is yes.
>
> By the way, are these 'locals' just as anon-e-mouse as you? That wind
> you see whipping the fires into a frenzy are the down draft from all
> those black helicopters circling your hovel.
>
> Wataputz!!!

I think it goes to show his point is correct. Thin the trees out, well
be fine. This earth will over come humanity just fine . All it needs
is one good comet. Right over the persian gulf perhaps.

Dave Thompson wrote in message news:...
> edo wrote:
>
> >
> > Forest fires' timing sets tongues wagging
> >
> > An emerging whodunit in Central Oregon hovers amid the smoke draping the
> > east side of the Cascade Range.
> >
> > Can it be pure coincidence, locals are asking, that two wildfires sprang
> > up in view of the spot where President Bush planned to promote his plan
> > to thin forests for wildfire prevention?
> >
>
>
> Since you asked, the answer is yes.
>
> By the way, are these 'locals' just as anon-e-mouse as you? That wind
> you see whipping the fires into a frenzy are the down draft from all
> those black helicopters circling your hovel.
>
> Wataputz!!!

I think it goes to show his point is correct. Thin the trees out, well
be fine. This earth will over come humanity just fine . All it needs
is one good comet. Right over the persian gulf perhaps.