These low-intensity fires did little damage to the big Ponderosa pine trees that dominated western forests.

ECONOMIST: Fire in the west: Another costly war that America can never win? | The

In the Jemez, for example, it could transform much of the ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forest into shrub land.

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If you bring a taller man into the mix, not even an actual Ponderosa Pine will help you compete.

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In 2002 a fire in Oregon's Six Rivers and Siskiyou national forests scorched 500, 000 acres of Douglas fir and ponderosa pine.

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The Douglas fir, which produces more seeds than the Ponderosa pine but is much less tolerant of drought or fire, did especially well.

ECONOMIST: Fire in the west: Another costly war that America can never win? | The

Mr. WALLY COVINGTON (Northern Arizona University): To try to extrapolate results from hemlock, Douglas fir, western ridge cedar to Ponderosa pine or to loblolly pine is nuts.

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Ponderosa pine forests are now dangerously dense.

ECONOMIST: Fire in the west: Another costly war that America can never win? | The