2007-10-30, Burning Trees to Save the Forest 焚树育林？

It's been protected from human impacts since 1909. With 3 million acres, nearly a half million under water, Superior National Forest is largely unspoiled. But now the survival of this national treasure rests with those who would see some of it burned.

When a massive windstorm flattened¹ nearly a half million acres of trees in July of 1999, the Forest Service knew a major wildfire was inevitable². They refer to this area simply as 'the blowdown', over 7 hundred square miles of kindling³ just waiting for a spark.

"Yeah, we're kinda wondering why that hasn't happened, um, when it's twice as dry, twice as warm and windy and there is lightning out there. But, er, so far we just haven't had lightning in a good patch of timber to burn."

On this day, "just to let you know the Magnetic Rock burn is a goal. " The Forest Service will strike the match.

"The weather forecast for today is favorable."

But not before checking that conditions are just right.

"Pretty consistent mainly southwest to leave at 14:50."

Gusts⁴ of wind more than 15 miles per hour in the wrong direction could be disastrous⁵. And if things go wrong, if the fire gets out of control, it would be burn boss Tim Norman who is responsible.

"Yeah Tim, we are ready to launch the torch of fuel."

It will come from above. The helicopter disappearing over this ridge⁶ will drop a flaming gel on the forest floor. The natural fuel there does the rest. For hours, wave after wave of air assaults rein⁷ fire from above. This is the time when all that planning to keep homeowners safe is put to the test.

"Before the burn, during the burn and after the burn, we are trying to look at it as many angles as we can, we're trying (to) outguess what could possibly happen and conduct it safely."

In the end, a plan with promise gave way to some disappointment. No safety problems. But the Forest Service had hoped to burn 1,300 acres. Shifting winds and problems with the flaming gel limited the burn to just 200. But that is still a significant amount of forest to burn.

"How long will this area take to green up?"
"Oh, it will be green…er… by next spring."

This area now creates a much needed buffer⁸ between the blowdown and hundreds of homes and businesses on the edge of the wilderness⁹. Burning the forest to keep a future wildfire in check, it's a huge job that's only just begun.

1 flattened   

[医]（水）平扁的，弄平的

参考例句：

• She flattened her nose and lips against the window. 她把鼻子和嘴唇紧贴着窗户。
• I flattened myself against the wall to let them pass. 我身体紧靠着墙让他们通过。

2 inevitable   

adj.不可避免的，必然发生的

参考例句：

• Mary was wearing her inevitable large hat.玛丽戴着她总是戴的那顶大帽子。
• The defeat had inevitable consequences for British policy.战败对英国政策不可避免地产生了影响。

3 kindling   

n. 点火, 可燃物 动词kindle的现在分词形式

参考例句：

• There were neat piles of kindling wood against the wall. 墙边整齐地放着几堆引火柴。
• "Coal and kindling all in the shed in the backyard." “煤，劈柴，都在后院小屋里。” 来自汉英文学 - 骆驼祥子

4 gusts   

一阵强风( gust的名词复数 )； （怒、笑等的）爆发； （感情的）迸发； 发作

参考例句：

• Her profuse skirt bosomed out with the gusts. 她的宽大的裙子被风吹得鼓鼓的。
• Turbulence is defined as a series of irregular gusts. 紊流定义为一组无规则的突风。

5 disastrous   

adj.灾难性的，造成灾害的；极坏的，很糟的

参考例句：

• The heavy rainstorm caused a disastrous flood.暴雨成灾。
• Her investment had disastrous consequences.She lost everything she owned.她的投资结果很惨，血本无归。

6 ridge   

n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭

参考例句：

• We clambered up the hillside to the ridge above.我们沿着山坡费力地爬上了山脊。
• The infantry were advancing to attack the ridge.步兵部队正在向前挺进攻打山脊。

7 rein   

n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治

参考例句：

• The horse answered to the slightest pull on the rein.只要缰绳轻轻一拉,马就作出反应。
• He never drew rein for a moment till he reached the river.他一刻不停地一直跑到河边。

8 buffer   

n.起缓冲作用的人(或物)，缓冲器；vt.缓冲

参考例句：

• A little money can be a useful buffer in time of need.在急需时，很少一点钱就能解燃眉之急。
• Romantic love will buffer you against life's hardships.浪漫的爱会减轻生活的艰辛。

9 wilderness   

n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠

参考例句：

• She drove the herd of cattle through the wilderness.她赶着牛群穿过荒野。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。