In an article in our local paper, the Daily Press, it stated that 85 to 90% of the Bark Beetle killed trees were not burnt by this big fire, the OLD Fire. These trees as well as the overgrown forest will continue to present a serious threat to the mountain communities and the forest areas in upcoming fire seasons. The weather on this fire changed dramatically and saved the day, this time around. I hope this doesn't develop into a situation where DCHS and its surrounding areas within the San Bernardino national forest get closed for long periods, because of fire concerns. Any fires done by people at, and around DCHS, will obviously now be looked on with great disdain by the Forest Service. Continueing abuse of this " no fire " rule in the Deep Creek drainage could affect at some point the situation of access to DCHS. A fire started in the DCHS area, with Santa Ana wind conditions, could be blown up in the direction of the mountain communities. The Willow Fire fortunately reduced the fuel load in the mountains close to the springs. People want fires to be put out as quickly as possible, that is what has driven wildland suppression policy in the last 50 years, but, the result of this policy will be, overgrown, sick, and dying forest, which will produce catastrophic fires like what we just witnessed. The forest are out of balance, balance will be restored by nature, its just a matter of time. Man will never be able to manage the forest, like nature does.
