To the Editor:

It’s easier to criticize than condone.

For 20 years, I’ve owned a residence on a 40-acre timbered property in the Pine Creek drainage, visiting approximately one week each year. Ironically, when finally living seasonally in this residence last year, and while working in a spike fire camp, the Canyon Creek Complex fire burned it down. I was left with the clothes on my back. I spent the remainder of last season living in a tent.

The Oregonian’s published investigation of the Canyon Creek Complex fire was anything but an example of “balanced” journalism. Residents who lost their homes were interviewed and quoted. Where were the interviews of residents whose homes were saved by the efforts of firefighters? Where were the interviews of those who worked the fire and lost their homes? Other (Forest Service) personnel lost their primary residence to the fire while working in fire camp. Because the Oregonian chose not to contact people in this unusual position, I thought to provide the facts of my experience:

1) An extensive network of fire lines were dug by hand crews on the slope around my residence.

2) A sprinkler system was set up by hand crews, with sprinkler heads around my residence.

3) Firewood piles were moved away from my residence by hand crews.

4) While hand crews were busy saving my neighbors’ homes, the burning bole of a large tree rolled down a 35-degree slope, hitting my residence, resulting in an explosion of red-hot embers.

I’m not by any stretch an expert on forest fire behavior. But no matter how many fire lines are dug and sprinkler systems are put in place, they can’t possibly stop a burning bole from rolling down a 35-degree slope.

The basis of my objectivity is threefold: 1) I spent my working career outside of government; 2) I’m an “outsider” to Grant County; and 3) I work seasonally for the (Forest Service) as a semi-retirement job, so my livelihood and well-being are in no way dependent upon the (Forest Service).

I’ll reserve my criticism for the unbalanced journalism published by the Oregonian.

John H. Van Gundy

John Day