Salvage logging increases fire risk
A new US study of fire damaged forests in Oregon shows that allowing trees to naturally regenerate works as well or better than logging and replanting. Salvage logging actually reduced regeneration by 71%. The study also showed that undisturbed forest areas may be at lower fire risk, as logging adds to the material that would fuel another fire in the near future, because of the waste left on the ground after logging. Leaving that material up in the air on dead trees that will fall, years or decades later, is more likely to reduce fire risk during the early stages of regeneration.
EurekAlert 5.1.06