“home being destroyed by out-of-control wildfires”
“emergency services stretched thin”
“encroach upon urban areas”
The comment
Please keep the Roadless Rule. As an Ohioan, I've not yet had to worry about my home being destroyed by out-of-control wildfires, but I've watched as an increasing amount of fires continue to encroach upon urban areas in the country. Research has shown that, from 1992-2024, wildfires were four times as likely to start in areas with roads than in roadless forest tracts. Another study showed that more than 90% of all wildfires nationwide occurred within half a mile of road. With emergency services stretched thin, we cannot afford to put more of the country at risk by developing more roads in our forest spaces. Thank you.