A new $23 million federal logging program aimed at reducing wildfire risks has sparked intense debate about forest management and community safety. The initiative targets areas where wildfires pose significant threats to communities and infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s plan will pay for removing dead trees, fallen branches, and dense undergrowth from national forests – materials classified as hazardous fuels. This timber will go to processing facilities for manufacturing wood products and wood energy services, creating potential economic opportunities in rural areas. USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins has marked 112.6 million acres – nearly 60% of national forest lands – … Continue reading Logging Expands to 112.6M Acres Under USDA Plan as Wildfire CO₂ Tops 723M Tonnes