Cut-and-Dried Solution for Tree Hazard

Re “Dead Pines Pose Risk of Another ‘Mega-Fire,’ ” April 24: One step toward a solution to our overgrown Southern California forests would be for the U.S. Forest Service to again allow the public access to cut down the beetle-infested trees for firewood. In the 1970s, the USFS tagged trees it wanted removed, sold daily permits for $10 and allowed individuals to use their own chain saws to remove the trees. People were willing to perform the labor for the affordable firewood, and the program was significant in the effort to keep our forests thinned and healthy.

Wayne DeBord

Covina