[BlackArcher101]

I think it's important to note here in order to balance this discussion that the primary goal of this is for the FireSmart program, not commercial logging. It seems a lot of comments such as "Isn't there a crap load of trees to cut down elsewhere?" are off the cuff and don't factor this in. In order to complete the goal of slowing the spread of fire and protecting structures and lives, you can't just select any logging area.

Having said that, it would certainly be sad to see trails which have been groomed and built over the years disappear. A balance between effective fire control and trail use must be attempted at all costs. However, if all other fire control options are officially deemed ineffective, I think the goal of fire safety should trump recereational land use.

This isn't a "guise", this is a real program and one that would have probably helped Slave Lake in their disaster had they decided to take part. From the maps I looked at, the majority of trees will be intact. This isn't a mass clear cut of all trees to the West.