JIM WELLER (1:123/140) wrote to STEVEN HORN at 20:28 on 06 Sep 2004:

 JW> Actually periodic fires rejuvenates things. Over time the soil gets
 JW> increasingly acidic.  A fire releases a lot of CO2 and the ashes
 JW> are alkaline. The new growth is healthier as a result of the pH
 JW> adjustment. 

 JW> And the first year after a fire you will find a wealth of morels
 JW> growing up from the roots of dead jack pine.

Normally I would agree but we are talking about 2,000,000+ hectares here.

Take care,

Steven Horn (steven.horn{at}gmail.com)
Moderator, ALASKA_CHAT 
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