California Wildfires and Rare Species

Debris, ash, toxins and smoke are what remains after the wildfire destruction of rare species habitat. Scott Morrison, a scientist with the Nature Conservancy in San Diego, blames it on people.

"These areas have a tendency to burn too frequently because urban development introduces more and more frequent types of ignition."

At risk is the Thorne's hairstreak butterfly which lives in a tree, the Tecate cypress, that is also at risk.

Geoffrey Smith of Wilderness4all says the risk to the butterfly and its tree can only be eliminated when civilization is kept apart from the habitat. Smith is pushing for 2.5 million acres to be designated as federal wilderness.

Just what we need. Less civilization and more government.