To the Editor:

Another beautiful, sunny, warm fall day with no clouds in the sky. Just smoke. Wait, the radio news says the EPA is declaring a health alert for us here in Eastern Oregon until Tuesday next week. No burning outside; if heating with wood, use as little as possible. Older people should stay indoors. The very next news story: Forest Service continuing to control burn in three areas in and around the John Day Valley. One plan was to burn 700 acres. Evidently the government doesn’t have to listen to the government, but we do. Something is really wrong, and I’m tired of living here where the air should be clean and clear most days of the year. Now we live in smoke from April to October. You can give numerous reasons and excuses and you would be partly right, but the main reason is the mismanagement of our natural renewable resources.

Ken Koser

Prairie City