- PowerScore Staff
- Posts: 8917
- Joined: Feb 02, 2011
- Sat May 20, 2017 1:46 pm
#35215
Passage Discussion
Paragraph One:
The author opens the passage noting that in North America, modern firefighting has become very
effective in fighting wildfires. At the end of the second sentence, the author provides a central point
of the passage: “too much firefighting can be worse than no firefighting at all.” Thousands of years of
evolution have developed in many ecosystems a need for occasional fires, which serve 1) to renew;
and 2) to limit damage. The author provides the example of ancient Ponderosa forests, which derived
such benefits from periodic smaller fires, which helped to clear the brush and younger trees from the
forest floor, minimizing the fuel available for future fires. The trees that survived left scars that allow
scientists to track the fires, showing that they generally took place in five to 25 year intervals.
Paragraph Two:
Having discussed the benefits of occasional small fires, the author turns in this paragraph to some
of the hazards that present themselves when such fires don’t take place. When fuels are allowed to
build up, the larger fires that can result have the potential to be devastating, sometimes killing off
wildlife as well as the older, bigger trees, which then erode the topsoil. The author then turns back
to the topic of overly successful firefighting efforts, which have left many forests untouched by fire
in over five decades. The final sentence in this paragraph provides a nice summation of the author’s
main point in writing this piece: “It is therefore increasingly necessary for land managers in North
America to strive to manage rather than eliminate fires; land managers should recognize the essential
role that fire plays in many ecosystems.”
Paragraph Three:
In the final paragraph, the author begins by presenting a list of three factors that can affect fire
behavior: topography, whether, and fuel (wood, brush, etc.). Since the last item on the list is the
only one that can be controlled by land managers, the author suggests that land managers focus on
controlling the fuel, with selective harvesting, focused on smaller trees, and periodic fires brought
about either intentionally or by lightning strikes, in locations that are sufficiently damp to minimize
risk of widespread damage. The author closes the passage with the assertion that after initial fuel
reduction, “maintenance burns” will be needed every 15 to 20 years to allow for consistent control
and minimization of damage.
VIEWSTAMP Analysis
The only Viewpoint presented in this passage is that of the author.
The Structure of the passage is as follows:
The author’s Tone is concerned and well-reasoned.
The main Argument presented in this passage is the author’s assertion that land managers should
employ wildfire management to manage fires rather than completely eliminate them.
The Main Point of the passage is that firefighting has become too effective, and that land managers
should change their policies, allowing small fires to renew forests and protect against larger-scale
fires that could be much more devastating.
Paragraph One:
The author opens the passage noting that in North America, modern firefighting has become very
effective in fighting wildfires. At the end of the second sentence, the author provides a central point
of the passage: “too much firefighting can be worse than no firefighting at all.” Thousands of years of
evolution have developed in many ecosystems a need for occasional fires, which serve 1) to renew;
and 2) to limit damage. The author provides the example of ancient Ponderosa forests, which derived
such benefits from periodic smaller fires, which helped to clear the brush and younger trees from the
forest floor, minimizing the fuel available for future fires. The trees that survived left scars that allow
scientists to track the fires, showing that they generally took place in five to 25 year intervals.
Paragraph Two:
Having discussed the benefits of occasional small fires, the author turns in this paragraph to some
of the hazards that present themselves when such fires don’t take place. When fuels are allowed to
build up, the larger fires that can result have the potential to be devastating, sometimes killing off
wildlife as well as the older, bigger trees, which then erode the topsoil. The author then turns back
to the topic of overly successful firefighting efforts, which have left many forests untouched by fire
in over five decades. The final sentence in this paragraph provides a nice summation of the author’s
main point in writing this piece: “It is therefore increasingly necessary for land managers in North
America to strive to manage rather than eliminate fires; land managers should recognize the essential
role that fire plays in many ecosystems.”
Paragraph Three:
In the final paragraph, the author begins by presenting a list of three factors that can affect fire
behavior: topography, whether, and fuel (wood, brush, etc.). Since the last item on the list is the
only one that can be controlled by land managers, the author suggests that land managers focus on
controlling the fuel, with selective harvesting, focused on smaller trees, and periodic fires brought
about either intentionally or by lightning strikes, in locations that are sufficiently damp to minimize
risk of widespread damage. The author closes the passage with the assertion that after initial fuel
reduction, “maintenance burns” will be needed every 15 to 20 years to allow for consistent control
and minimization of damage.
VIEWSTAMP Analysis
The only Viewpoint presented in this passage is that of the author.
The Structure of the passage is as follows:
- Paragraph 1: Introduce the issue of overly effective firefighting efforts, and the fact that
forests have evolved to be dependent on occasional fires for renewal and
protection against larger-scale fires. Present the example of ancient ponderosa
forests, which benefited from small fires every 5 to 25 years.
Paragraph 2: Discuss the problem of fuel buildup that presents itself when too much time
passes between fires, leading to bigger, more devastating fires. List several of
the hazards associated with such fires. Note that many forests have now gone
over 50 years without the benefit of a small fire; suggest that land managers
note the importance of occasional fires.
Paragraph 3: List the three factors that affect fire behavior, note that fuel level is the only
factor that can be controlled, so land managers should focus on that element.
Suggest wildfire management though selective harvesting and either starting
or allowing occasional fires in the short term, followed by maintenance burns
every 15 to 20 years.
The author’s Tone is concerned and well-reasoned.
The main Argument presented in this passage is the author’s assertion that land managers should
employ wildfire management to manage fires rather than completely eliminate them.
The Main Point of the passage is that firefighting has become too effective, and that land managers
should change their policies, allowing small fires to renew forests and protect against larger-scale
fires that could be much more devastating.