Wildfires and shootings

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Stephen Pyne wondered if there was any correlation between mass shootings and the number of structures destroyed each year in wildfires. Here, with his permission, are the facts he uncovered.

Stephen Pyne quote

Mr. Pyne, who was a firefighter at the Grand Canyon for 15 seasons, is a prolific writer about wildland fire. His most recent book is “To the Last Smoke”.

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Author: Bill Gabbert

After working full time in wildland fire for 33 years, he continues to learn, and strives to be a Student of Fire.

9 thoughts on “Wildfires and shootings”

  1. I can’t speak for Stephen Pyne but my takeaway from this is that the American people seem willing to tolerate huge losses to both mass shooting events and to large fire years without a willingness to actually try and address them effectively. In that regard it’s a lot like the national leadership on the pandemic response.

    In the current political election season, how often have either of these topics been front and center with intelligent and thoughtful discussion?

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  2. Hi. While almost all wildfire has a human cause, except for lightning, most are caused by stupidity and arrogance rather than arson. That being said, I was out once on a large fire and observed an arsonist try to reignite an area we had already contained. When the helicopters showed up the guy had nowhere to run.

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  3. What Facts? How does one have any thing to do with the other, maybe a coincidence, just maybe….Sorry but I do not get this article at all. American exceptionalism, what does this have to do with anything, just maybe there is more to the story…….

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    1. I believe this.

      I worked for an Adjuster here in Reno, NV who was involved in Fire Adjusting and the minds of people who love to set fires and some who are in a public office such as fire fighters who lived the adoration after and others who were supervisors eventually they were caught and during investigations

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  4. I AM CURIOUS. HOW MANY OF THESE FIRES ARE CAUSED BY THOSE WHO SET FIRES FOR THE THRILL?
    I SAW THAT YEARS AGO AT A GIRL SCOUT CAMP OUTSIDE OF PRESCOTT. HIS SMILE WAS GREAT AS HE CARRIED BURNING NEEDLES FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.

    WE EVACUATED THE CAMP. I WAS ONE OF THE FEW WHO KNEW HOW TO HANDLE HORSES. WE EACH LEAD 3 TO 4 HORSES OUT WHEN WE EVACUATED. I GREW UP ON A GUEST RANCH.

    THANK GOODNESS FOR CHURCH FLOORS IN THOSE DAYS.

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    1. Rowena, when you type in all capital letters, people feel as if they are being yelled at.

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