Let's re-center and look ahead

I’d like to thank Heather Richards for her heartfelt commentary “Strong Enough to Bend” in last week’s Pathfinder. Understanding the post-fire perspective of someone who has spent more than 30 years traversing the trails in the Bob Marshall Wilderness is very valuable. Her commentary demonstrates courage and flexibility.

Wilderness is by definition, wild, chaotic and unpredictable. Without the wildness of grizzlies, bull trout and yes, wildfires, we lose our wildness. In federally designated wilderness areas, we humans don’t always get to decide what happens. Ultimately, we humans are not always in charge. When wildfires change our beloved forests and favorite trails we understandably react and mourn the loss. But as Heather points out, it takes strength to bend and look ahead, even after witnessing such drastic changes.

Wildfire is destructive and chaotic. It is also, however, renewing, regenerating and ecologically crucial. Our forests and our prairies co-evolved with fire, and will continue to burn regardless of our attempts to stop the process.

We all look to wilderness lands as areas that remain unchanged, even as we hurtle through our busy human lives. When forces beyond our control create radical changes, we react. In recent weeks, some Seeley Lake businesses and residents have publicly criticized the integrity and performance of the USFS District Ranger as a response to the wildfires of 2017. Unfortunately, this type of community response is potentially more harmful and destructive than helpful.

Let’s take a cue from Heather, re-center ourselves in our saddles and look ahead.