Jul 23, 2008
UC Cooperative Extension forestry advisor Greg Giusti was an important source of information for a story in today's Santa Rosa Press Democrat about repercussions of recent forest fires. Reporter Glenda Anderson also spoke to officials from CalFire and the Mendocino Redwood Company, but the majority of the story relayed information from Giusti.
Giusti was credited in the story for the following information:
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Douglas fir trees are more susceptible to fire
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Redwood trees are more resistant and may benefit from the burning of underbrush
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Demand for Douglas fir lumber is weak and the price is depressed
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The loss of younger, more fire-prone Douglas fir stands could cause a gap in future timber harvests, income and employment
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The fires could prompt more environmental regulation by displacing protected spotted owls and their favorite food -- wood rats
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The fires will give local biologists a good opportunity to study how animals react and adapt to fire