Prescribed Fire Versus Air Quality in 2000 in the Pacific Northwest

In 1970, it was widely assumed that by 1980 in the Pacific Northwest, prescribed fire would be a thing of the past. By 1985, however, half way from 1970 to the end of the century, the area treated by fire increased. Now, the demise of forest burning is widely expected to occur by the year 2000. Can, and will, a compromise be found between the resurgence in appreciation for fire and the continuing public pressure for improved air quality? The conflict is manageable, provided the current cooperative attitude between forest and air resource managers persists. A 50 percent emission reduction by 2000 seems likely, and 70 percent seems possible, according to projections by fuel managers in the Region.