Residents Express Opposition to Burning Caribou Rock and Rose

About thirty residents turned out at the Mid Trail Fire Hall to hear from the Forest Service about what prescribed burns they plan to do this fall. The Forest Service told those present that, if weather conditions allow, they hope to burn Dawkins Creek, Mead Lake, Caribou Rock and several others in the mid-trail areas this Fall.

Richard Fink, a cabin own on Hungry Jack Lake and Wayne Anderson, from Grand Masais voiced their concern that burning the Caribou Rock trail could destroy one of the areas must scenic hiking trail. Several others in the audience agreed. Concerns were also express concerning the planned future burns on Duncan Lake, which would include the Stairway Portage and overlooks at Rose.

Dennis Neitzke, District Ranger, obviously upset by these comments, took over the "floor" and stated, " I do not like the way this meeting is going." He then when on to explain that he has a mission to complete all the prescribed burns that were planned following the 1999 Blowdown. - including the Caribou Rock and Duncan burns.

When Neitzke was asked if due to the large number of wildfires that have taken place already in the Mid Trail area- the Ham Lake this year, the Famine and Redeye last year along with a number of smaller fires over the past few years, if he even bothered to consider these other burns in the planning of this Falls planned prescribed burns. Ignoring the question, Neiztke re-stated that the planned prescribed burns had to be completed.

Tim Bassett, who lives on Portage Lake, then stated that, " some people apparently are only interested in protecting their own little self-interest". Bassett then expressing his own little self-interest went on to say, I want to see the burns to take place around me to protect my property.