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December 11, 2020
As record-breaking wildfires continue burning across U.S. western states, a group of pro-logging scientists and activists reignited the debate about Spotted Owls and wildfires by publishing an article critical of a 2018 synthesis of all scientific evidence on the topic. Federal and state authorities are pushing plans to increase logging in National Forests, ostensibly to protect Spotted Owls from wildfire. Derek Lee, Associate Research Professor at Pennsylvania State University and author of the synthesis said, “Spotted Owls are usually not affected by wildfire, and there are significant benefits to reproduction from high-severity fire. I believe money intended for logging National Forests would be better spent hardening homes and other human structures to protect lives and property against wildfire.” There are limited resources available to protect homes and communities from wildfire, and logging backcountry forested lands such as in owl habitats has no impact