by Luke Schmaltz | Oct 22, 2021 | General Featured
“When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.”
by Luke Schmaltz
Fear and Loathing in Aspen — a forthcoming film set in Colorado’s most notorious mountain town — is packed with parallels to current issues, rich with the warm, grainy texture of 20th Century celluloid, and thick with finely tuned, bittersweet irony.
Unlike predecessors, this film offers a more subtle, nuanced interpretation of the outlandish escapades of the late writer — Hunter S. Thompson. Director Bobby Kennedy III delivers a concise, thoughtful, and well-rounded narrative of Thompson’s 1970 run for Sheriff of Pitkin County, Colorado, on the Freak Power ticket.
Hit Movie: Fear and Loathing in Aspen is a direct hit with many of today’s hot-button issues.
In one scene, Thompson (masterfully played by Jay Bulger) says, “The freaks — they’re everywhere … and they can vote.” He continues his commentary on the local counterculture with more poignant observations, “One of the main things I’ve learned out here is there are all kinds of very capable people wandering around with no place to use their energy. If we can put this energy to work, we’ll have a helluva tool on our hands.”
Throughout the piece, Bulger, who bears an uncanny resemblance to his subject, manages to deliver a convincing portrayal of Thompson while somehow avoiding the character tropes, overblown mannerisms, and hyper-exaggerated speech patterns Thompson’s persona has elicited from those who have portrayed him in the past. Here, viewers are treated to a glimpse into the psyche of a deeply complex character without having to endure the gallivanting around and flailing about of cinematic forebears. Rather, Bulger delves deeper into the humanity of the character, using a somewhat even-keeled anchor point to mount emotional plunges and manic ascents.
Visually, the film pays on-target homage to the wobbly, hand-held 8mm footage that captured many moments of the actual events in the story. Kennedy masterfully rotates between smoothly edited, narrative scenes, and grainy handheld sequences that, were it not for impeccable continuity, could be mistaken for amateur found footage from 1970.
Parallels Abound
Although the story is 50+ years old, the film zaps a cattle prod to a number of today’s hot-button issues. Thompson’s Freak Power party runs the very essence of a grassroots political campaign, echoing current political concerns such as voter reluctance, voter suppression, and election fraud. Meanwhile, the “freaks” of the Aspen Valley — fringe-dwelling refugees of the status-quo — are eerily reminiscent of the drug-addled tent-dwellers of today’s Denver, although in the movie they represent heroism, positive change, and social evolution. And then, there are the conservative gentrifiers who are systematically overtaking Aspen and making Thompson’s proposed utopia an all-but-impossible pipedream. Given the overrun, overdeveloped, and overpriced state of Pitkin County today, it makes you wonder how vastly different that sector of Colorado would look had Thompson been victorious.
A Brazen Platform
Portrayal: Actor Jay Bulger delivers a nuanced, spot-on portrayal of a pop culture legend.
As one would expect, his platform was as sweeping and rebellious as the man’s reputation. “We will sod the streets at once” he begins. “Rip up all city streets with jackhammers and use the junk asphalt, after melting, to create a huge parking and auto storage lot on the outskirts of town. We will change the name of Aspen, by public referendum, to Fat City, to prevent land rapers, greedheads, and human jackals from capitalizing on the name ‘Aspen.’ Aspen, Colorado, would no longer exist, and the psychic alterations of this change would be massive in the world of commerce. By this approach, making hundreds or even thousands of individuals personally responsible for protecting the animals, fish, and birds that live here, we would create a sort of de facto game preserve without the harsh restrictions that will be forced on us if these bloodthirsty geeks keep swarming in here every autumn to shoot everything they see.”
Acerbic, To Wit
In Character: Jay Bulger stays entrenched in character throughout the film.
Alas, the irony that Bobby Kennedy III deals out to viewers is deeply poetic. He skillfully helms a cinematic vehicle that is clearly aimed at the establishment, the status quo, the Good Ol’ Boys Club that his grandfather and great uncle (Bobby and John F. Kennedy) attempted to topple.
While the outcome of Thompson’s run for Sheriff of Pitkin County is well known, Fear and Loathing in Aspen is not to be dismissed for simply retelling the bittersweet parable of an American underdog. Lest it be forgotten, this country was founded by rebels with revolutionary thinking and radical solutions. As Bulger soliloquizes at the end of the third act, “If you ever get the chance to sweep the fatbacks off their feet, don’t f@*k it up.”
Fear and Loathing in Aspen is indie filmmaking at its finest, hearkening back to the glorious cinematic movement of the 1990s where formula, big name actors, plotless blather, and CGI sensory overload were not the order of the day. This film deserves a fair shot at the permaculture, for sheer entertainment value as well as historical significance. Should you crave a cinematic experience that requires a bit of thinking, a fair modicum of empathy and a healthy sense of the ridiculous — this film is for you.
by Luke Schmaltz | Oct 22, 2021 | Main Articles
A User’s Guide To Navigating DIA During The Busy Winter Months
“I’m one of those people at the airport holding a pillow like a little kid.”
by Luke Schmaltz
Every holiday season, in the far northeast corner of gerrymandered Denver County, Denver International Airport bustles like a series of big top circus tents swarming with activity. Somewhere around the beginning of November through the new year, this hub of hustle begins to sing with every possible tone of neurosis brought on by the madness that is inherent to holiday travel.
Thousands of Denver residents, in their obligatory impetus to see their loved ones every year, scramble out of bed during the wee hours, grab their luggage, and head out to what may unfold as a day without incident or — more likely — an experience that reads like a migraine-inducing travel nightmare. The problems begin when you get in the car and head toward Peña Boulevard and can continue to the security lines, the concourses, and beyond. Thankfully, there are a few steps you can take for navigating this gauntlet of woe which may help your excursion to be a tolerable one at the very least.
Get There For Cheap
Real Estate entrepreneur Tyson Murray has figured out the hassle-free secrets to DIA travel.
Denver realtor and onetime DIA bartender Tyson Murray offers a few insider tips from a guy who used to commute to the airport multiple times a week for several years. He emphasizes the importance of not driving as a means of saving time and money while avoiding unnecessary stress. “Driving to DIA sucks,” he attests. “It’s expensive to park there, and as of late, there have been a rash of car thefts and break-ins in the parking lots. The train is cheap ($10.50 each way), reliable, always on time, and super easy. It’s 35 minutes from Union Station to DIA,” he says. Additionally, it is important to note that due to staffing shortages related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Mt. Elbert and Pikes Peak shuttle parking remain closed.
Connect With Ease
Folks who are willing to forgo the autonomy of driving their own car can discover a respite of convenience amid the headaches of traffic and parking. “Going to DIA has never been easier in my opinion,” Murray explains. “I love taking the Light Rail from Union Station. I love that building and I’ll take any excuse to hang out there for a few minutes.” Murray also offers a valuable tidbit about circumventing long security lines. “If you disembark from the Light Rail at the South Entrance and South Security Check line, take the extra five minutes to walk to the NORTH Security Check line — it’s usually less crowded. Or, if you don’t mind walking an extra half mile or so, go upstairs to the Pedestrian Bridge security and catch the train from Terminal A if you need to go to Terminals B or C. Also, usually much faster.”
Arrive Far In Advance
Murray also urges travelers to be extra vigilant with their timelines. “Get there early,” he exclaims. “I’m the guy who would rather be an hour early than 10 minutes late, So, I always go at least a half hour before I need to, which means getting to the airport two or so hours before my flight boards. It just takes away any stress or anxiety if there are delays in security or service, which there will be. And it leaves ample time for the obligatory airport Bloody Mary.”
Keep It Together
The Denver International Airport awaits travelers like a big-top circus tent brimming with barely-controlled chaos.
Meanwhile, the manager of DIA’s Tapas Sky Bar and Little Man Ice Cream — Zeth Pedulla — offers a few critical insider tips for a positive DIA experience. Primarily, he stresses the importance of keeping your head together and avoiding a compromised mindset which can result in rude, inconsiderate behavior toward airport employees. “Don’t get shit-faced hammered. That’s rule number one,” he says. “There is absolutely too much going on these days at the airport for you to be smashed. There are four bars on Concourse C from where you get off the train and where I am at (Tapas Sky Bar). I know that there can be delays but pace yourself. My staff and I have to not serve or cut people off all the time. This is where you see people lose their shit. There are several types of security that work at DIA, and they are just waiting for something to happen. I have seen everything from DPD refusing to let people on their flights all the way to TSA saying you’re not ever flying again. Ouch!”
Remember How To Read
DIA travelers can experience problems when they succumb to rudeness, drunkenness, drug use, illiteracy, and nudity.
Wandering around in circles at DIA happens when people panic and fail to be able to read large print English on signs posted everywhere. Pedulla cites this as one of the most common tells of a person having a bad day at the airport. “Some travelers become over-stimulated by all the hustle and noise, and they forget the fundamental skill of finding their way by reading signs,” he says. “There is signage everywhere indicating where the restrooms are. It’s the same for the terminals and baggage claim. There are signs at least every 20 feet or so telling you where to go.”
Keep Your Shirt On
Pedulla goes on to explain how the hysteria inherent to holiday travel can really take a toll on some people — eliciting terrible, outrageous, unbelievable behavior. “All the time, I have entitled people tell me ‘I need service now because I have a plane to catch!’” Pedulla says, “Guess what? Everyone has a plane to catch. DIA bars are designed to be fast. Everyone gets served in order so just be cool and you will be served in a timely manner.” Rude behavior from bar and restaurant patrons can escalate to other odd activities which can permanently hinder someone’s travel plans. “I have gotten pretty close with the cops out here and boy, do they tell some stories.” Pedulla explains. “Drug use in bathrooms is a big one. Everything from people getting caught shooting heroin to smoking meth. Nudity happens more than you would think. The one that gets me the most is when people try to jump security to get to their plane. Why in the hell would you think that’s a smart idea?”
Sure, there are plenty of things that can obstruct your path to the skyway at DIA. But, if you plan far in advance and keep a level head, you just might make your destination without getting lost, getting arrested or otherwise embarrassing yourself. Bon voyage.
by Luke Schmaltz | Sep 27, 2021 | Editorials
If anything is good for pounding humility into you permanently, it’s the restaurant business. — Anthony Bourdain
by Luke Schmaltz
By the end of 2019, the Mile High City’s hospitality industry was humming at a fever pitch. The slave-wage, cutthroat, desperation-driven, mercenary mindset which has driven this profession for decades was charging forth at full steam. This pulsating, sweat-drenched beast, however, was unaware that it was about to splat face down onto the floor like a piping hot pizza that was dropped by an underpaid line cook who showed up to work sick.
Research by the Colorado Restaurant Association shows restaurant worker employment numbers are below pre-pandemic levels. Colorado Restaurant Association image
By late March of 2020, the industry was being systematically gutted by circumstance. In the span of several very long months, many once-coveted, hard-to-land FOH (front of the house) and BOH (back of the house) positions had become vacant and were up for grabs. The “Great Reopening” had revealed a vacuum in the workforce. Much of the previous labor pool, while locked down and on unemployment, have seemingly discovered other options — perhaps pursuits offering better compensation, lower stress and even (gasp) employee benefits.
Surf’s Down
In May of this year, at the onset of patio season, the Colorado Restaurant Association reported that nine out of 10 restaurants were having trouble hiring. Meanwhile, the Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that between February of 2020 and June of 2021, a restaurant labor pool of 234,500 had recovered to a mere 223,600 — nearly 11,000 workers lower than the previous tally. This begs the question, “Where did they all go?”
In some instances, highly valued, seasoned professionals with years of FOH and/or BOH experience have pivoted and moved onto other pursuits. For example, 14-year Denver industry worker Nolan Ackerman (Southside, Goosetown Tavern) says, “I used the pandemic to finish my bachelor’s and get an internship. I’m out, for now.”
Meanwhile across town, Denver industry veterans and wife/husband team Casey Keller and Roy Benoit have pivoted inward, courageously becoming restaurant owners in late summer of 2020 (Wendell’s, 3838 Tennyson St.) Thus far, attracting qualified help has been somewhat of a challenge, “Overall volume and quality of applicants has been… discouraging,” Benoit explains. When asked about where the talent pool of qualified workers has gone, Benoit has a revealing perspective. “I feel that a lot of previously full-time industry folks often have skills or education that makes them marketable in other fields… and the last year has given many of those people the opportunity and/or impetus to pursue those things,” he begins. “There are certainly some people still collecting unemployment; we’ve physically seen this in people scheduling or coming to interviews for the admitted sole purpose of required work searches. I will say, I feel more of those lingering on unemployment may not be industry ‘professionals,’ if you will, but rather newer or shorter-term industry workers.”
Rather than spend time waiting for external circumstances to improve, however, Keller and Benoit have curated their own strategy for cultivating and maintaining a solid crew. “We believe in paying our people well to begin with and ascribe to quality over quantity when it comes to staffing,” Benoit says. “We currently have a very talented and dedicated staff and have done our best to compensate them accordingly. Now, it is possible we’re shorting ourselves some applicants by not openly advertising above industry norm pay, but even with the current pool, we’d prefer to be choosy and give ourselves the opportunity to pay quality staff what they’re worth and continue to do so.”
On the front lines across Denver, newer industry recruits are having to shoulder heroic workloads as people are coming out in droves to rekindle the beloved American pastime of “going out.” Crews of veritable “newbies” are facing hordes of guests in the FOH and torrents of orders in the BOH that would give the most hardened of veterans the heebie jeebies. In some instances, in order to avoid staff burnout, some establishments are having to cut their hours of operation or to simply remain closed on certain days.
Not Always The Case
Bull & Bush Restaurant/Brewery has largely avoided staffing woes. Image courtesy of David Peterson
Other establishments such as the beloved Bull & Bush on Cherry Creek Dr. have managed to circumvent the labor shortage. Bar-tender Dave Hummel explains the company policy of starting FOH personnel as hosts/hostesses and requiring them to work their way into the higher paying positions of waiting tables and tending bar. This may explain their FOH employee retention rate — even amid the current climate. “The only [labor] shortage we are really having is in the BOH,” he says. Restaurant co-owner David Peterson (with brother Erik) confirms this, saying, “There were a bunch of people chomping at the bit to get back to work. There were a few who opted to stay away and collect unemployment. But, for the most part, we managed to keep most of our staff.” Peterson goes on to explain with a rare tone of optimism, “We have been so busy, unbelievably so, we are breaking record sales.”
This new climate, however, has given rise to a novel phenomenon previously unheard of by most restaurateurs — even a lifelong professional like David Peterson. Recently, an employee of his kitchen staff lobbied for a raise by saying that he could simply go to another restaurant in Cherry Creek and get paid $20 an hour to do far less work because the place would be half as busy. Peterson was unfazed, however, explaining, “Yeah, I get where the guy was coming from. But what he doesn’t realize is that if the place is slow, they might give you the same amount of money, but they are going to cut your hours.”
Bar Car retains a core staff through superior treatment of employees in a preferred establishment in which to work. Jeremy Matzke image
Just across Colorado Boulevard to the North, another long-cherished mainstay establishment has a similar story. Bar Car is a one-of-a-kind blink-and-you’ll-miss-it type of place. Owner Jeremy Matzke believes their company policies helped them deflect the post-shutdown woes. “Speaking strictly from a small, well established locally owned bar, our reputation has held strong, [as] we are a desired place to work,” He begins. “We firmly believe in treating our employees as humans with opinions and feelings and make extra efforts to treat our employees with grace and [as] part of our family … we feel this philosophy is much stronger than most incentives.”
A Nationwide Phenomenon
Former Denver bartender-turned NYC drink slinger Donald Murphy, left, believes the service industry labor shortage is a nationwide problem. Donald Murphy photo
Shifting focus to the nation as a whole, it is becoming clear this is not just a Denver phenomenon — but something possibly taking place from coast to coast. Former Denver bartender Donald Murphy aka “Murph” (Splinters from the Pine, Pasquini’s Uptown) now works as senior drink-slinger and art curator at Upper East Side Manhattan’s esteemed Merrion Square. “This is a nationwide problem,” he attests. “All of the career people who had time off during Covid decided to collect their UI benefits as though they were finally recouping the would-be tips from every time they got stiffed,” he begins. “A lot of people realized, with all that time off, they never really wanted these jobs in the first place. In order to thrive in this industry, you have to truly enjoy serving people, helping guests have a good time, and talking shit with strangers.” Murph goes on to explain that amid the political/presidential madhouse that began in 2016, working in the FOH is not nearly as fun because of a combative, general populace that is divided by social ideals like never before. Many people, when out in public, are either intentionally rude or overly sensitive. This might explain the unattractiveness of the service industry to many entry-level people. “Social division has made working in restaurants and bars not nearly as enjoyable,” he says.
Lopsided Demographics
Back in Denver, the labor shortage seems to be prevalent in some areas and nonexistent in others. For example, many businesses in the LoDo district, the Highlands and the RiNo district are short staffed while outliers in more suburban areas are not. This might also be explained by the average restaurant worker wage compared to the costs of living in these areas. After all, who wants to commute into a congested area, search for parking (if you even have a car), wait on people who live in the neighborhood and make more money than you (entitled a**holes), and then commute back home to your meager dwelling every day?
To combat this, restaurant owners, at least some, are adopting new business models with a variety of adaptations. Some feature higher hourly wages while others offer profit sharing for untipped workers and others are doing the unheard of by offering benefits to part-time, tipped employees. Yesterday’s service industry professionals who have moved on may catch wind of this and be taken aback in utter disbelief. Whether it brings them back into the fold, however, seems rather unlikely — but only time will tell.
by Luke Schmaltz | Sep 27, 2021 | Main Articles
“Space has the ability to produce a triple bottom line, or ROIII: Return on investment, innovation, and inspiration.” — Robert C. Jacobson
by Luke Schmaltz
If you ask most Colorado residents to name the top attractions that define their state, you’ll hear things like professional sports, recreational and medical cannabis, and year-round outdoor recreation and adventure. Yet, most folks may be unaware that, according to the Colorado Office of Economic Development and Economic Trade (choosecolorado.com), the Centennial State holds the top ranking in private aerospace employment concentration and is host to the nation’s second largest aerospace economy.
High Speed Flight: Boom Supersonic aims to use ultra-high-speed flight to get travelers to their destinations in under half the normal time.
A July 29, 2021, article in The Denver Post announced the addition of yet another aerospace company to the local roster — PteroDynamics — a California-based company that will soon be headquartered in Colorado Springs. The piece quotes Governor Jared Polis as saying, “Colorado continues to be the leader in aerospace and defense industries, so this new announcement and the 186 good news jobs that come with it further strengthens our reputation as the nation’s best place for aerospace.” Additionally, according to a 2020 report by the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, Colorado is home to 290 aerospace tech companies employing a total of 33,460 employees with over 500 organizations specializing in aerospace products and services. Over the past five years, aerospace employment has grown over 30% in Colorado — placing the state 12% higher than the national average.
The industrial roll call is impressive and diverse. The list of companies runs the gamut in terms of size and configuration — comprising a variety of private sector startups, medium-sized companies, and large corporations with household name recognition. While this is far and away from a comprehensive list, here is a brief sampling of the sort of incredible innovation and forward-thinking commerce taking place in your own backyard.
Boom Supersonic
According to Founder and CEO Blake Scholl, the Denver-based company was built on a philosophy of “Speed, safety, and sustainability without compromise,” as explained in a company promotional video. “We’ve made incredible advancements in the foundational technology for designing, developing, and building aircraft,” Scholl continues. “We have advanced aerodynamics, new materials, and significantly more efficient engines.” The company boasts the XB-1, the industry’s first-ever independently developed supersonic jet. Which has served, through trial, error, and improvements upon both to inform every aspect of the company’s passenger airliner, Overture. Boom Supersonic designed this commercial jet to serve travelers with flight times twice as fast as current commercial airlines.
Atomos Space
Missile Launch Technology: Boecore specializes in early warning missile launch technology, among other things.
Dedicated to meeting and exceeding the satellite-launching needs of the telecommunications industry, this award-winning Denver-based company is currently under contract with NASA. Their philosophy is to end the launching of single-use rockets to launch satellites into space. In a company website video, Co-Founder and CEO Vanessa Clark equates the current practice to “flying passengers one at a time in a Boeing 747.” She explains, “At Atomos, we are building and operating space tugs — transportation vehicles that are the connecting flights for space. Rockets no longer need to go to the specific orbit for a specific satellite. With space tugs, rockets can launch all satellites to a single drop off point, and we’ll take them from there.” Essentially, Atomos is the world’s first satellite rideshare company. The benefits are threefold: decreased cost to get into space, increased number of satellites per launch, and reduced wait times for a scheduled launch.
Boecore
This Colorado Springs-based aerospace and defense engineering company is women-owned and operated and maintains a small business status with fewer than 200 employees and a personnel-centric company culture. Their website states that they specialize “in software solutions, systems engineering, cybersecurity, enterprise networks, and mission operations.” With a client base consisting mainly of government agencies, Boecore boasts a highly respected company reputation as well as an impressive array of industry awards, including the 2020 Pro Patria Award for Extraordinary Employer Support, Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and Best Workplaces in Colorado Springs — among many others. Company innovations include early warning missile launch technology, space operations software solutions, Battlespace Operational Readiness Game (BORG) training modules, and many others.
York Space
This Denver-based company operates a “mega-facility” for commercial manufacture of satellites for companies who want to operate satellites in orbit. A news blog released earlier this year on the company website announced the recent expansion of its headquarters into a 100,000 square-foot facility. Company CEO Dirk Wallinger recently told CNBC the expansion adds “a true robust production capability to help secure our supply chain and help us expand the contracts that we’re working on with existing customers.” He went on to explain that the upgrade will take the company’s current manufacturing of 1,000 spacecraft per year and, “blow that out of the water as far as total production capacity goes.” York’s business model leverages a proprietary design known as the S-CLASS platform. The design is based on a three-axis stabilized spacecraft intended for constellations and designed for mass production. Buyers can use the modules for a variety of missions such as weather monitoring, communication, and observation.
The list goes on and on — including recognizable monikers such as Lockheed Martin, EnerSys, Merrick & Company, Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation, Ascent Solar, and many more.
It Begs The Question
With all these engineering geniuses in proximity, it is utterly baffling that Colorado — specifically the Front Range and the Western Slope I-70 corridor — are facing widespread engineering mishaps and systematic infrastructure breakdown. You would think that the elected leaders, with immediate access to such innovation and solution-oriented implementation, would reach out and ask for a bit of advice from folks who truly know how to solve problems. It is possible, however, that most of these aerospace firms have blocked incoming calls from government phone numbers. Or perhaps they are all simply too smart to get involved with politicians and bureaucrats. Or maybe — just maybe — given Colorado’s elevation and relative proximity to the stratosphere, they are all working in unison to find the quickest way off this troubled planet, if only for a little while.
by Luke Schmaltz | Sep 27, 2021 | Main Articles
“We didn’t start the fire/It was always burning, since the world’s been turning.” Billy Joel
by Luke Schmaltz
The brown cloud which frequently blankets the Mile High City has long been recognized as an unfortunate byproduct of progress. Since the 1980s, locally produced carbon emissions from coal-based energy production, oil refinement and the automotive combustion of gasoline has created a problematic airborne miasma. In the last few years, Denver has been given distinction among the top 10 cities with the poorest air quality in the United States. Federal records show air pollution was at elevated levels for more than 260 days a year in 2019 and 2020.
Meanwhile out West, the Golden State is leading the way in the creation of a different type of pollution, wildfire smoke. Just as California exports entertainment, social trends, and hordes of transplants, it also sends a generous share of air particulates from incinerated vegetation to round out its contribution to Colorado. A place that, as anyone who lives here knows, is already dealing with its own wildfire crises.
At times, the brown cloud over Denver can, in part, be attributed to the California wildfires.
Paper Is Made From Wood
To understand the proliferation of pollution, all you have to do is follow the money. America’s addiction to coal-based energy and oil-based propulsion has stakeholders running the ship aground who are perched in plain sight. The same is true with wildfire-based pollution. The logging industrial complex, which is particularly busy in some parts of California, is making a mint while communities are being destroyed, lives are being lost, and Colorado is choking on the ashes.
So far this year, Cal Fire (fire.ca.gov/inci dents) reports 7,377 fire incidents which have killed three people, destroyed 3,285 structures, and burned 2,243,663 acres of forest. The latter statistic is of particular interest here, as the massive plumes of smoke are systematically swept up by jet streams, carried inland, and deposited at the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains.
A Climate-Driven Performance Enhancer
Lucy Walker’s film “Bring Your Own Brigade” tells the story of how concentrated fuel sources are creating fires that can’t be stopped.
Clearly, this phenomenon is ramping up in tandem with global warming. Unnaturally dry conditions can turn large expanses of forest into an incendiary event waiting to turn the tiniest spark into a nightmare inferno. Some of these blazes occur in clear-cut areas which have been recently “thinned” by logging operations both private and government-operated. For decades, the United States Forest Service (USFS) has conducted these “thinning” initiatives under the guise of “fire prevention” but the data overwhelmingly demonstrates that wildfires tend to spread faster and with much more intensity in clear-cut areas due to dry conditions and contiguous acres of branches and logs which were left over from the logging process. Recent examples include the Dixie Fire which incinerated large parts of the Sierra Nevada town of Greenville and the Caldor Fire which destroyed the entire town of Grizzly Flats, CA.
Chad Hanson is an Author and ecologist with the John Muir Project. He recently published Smokescreen: Debunking Wildfire Myths to Save Our Forests and Our Planet.
Author Chad Hanson blows the California wildfire story wide open in his new book, Smokescreen.
Hanson is an expert in the phenomenon and the region, having conducted fieldwork for his doctoral dissertation in the aforementioned Greenville. In a recent article published on Grist.org, he explains, “The primary focus of the agency’s forest management efforts is selling public trees to private logging companies, which generates about $150 million each year. That may sound like a small portion of its $2 billion budget for land management, but logging also brings in more than $1 billion in annual Congressional appropriated funds, which generate additional revenue that goes back into the agency’s budget.” In a clever pivot, the USFS recently stopped using descriptive terms like logging and timber harvest and instead began conducting the same activities under the banners of terms like forest health, ecological restoration, and fuel reduction. But, as Hanson points out, “Make no mistake. It’s all just logging.”
Rural Overpopulation
There is another dimension of the fire industrial complex at work in California, but it stems from an opposing set of dynamics. Commercial land which has been clear cut is being replanted with dense concentrations of trees slated for harvest as soon as they have matured to a certain height and width. The problem here is that thick concentrations of trees, especially those reduced to drought-choked rows of veritable matchsticks, create an overly-abundant fuel source — one which burns with unstoppable ferocity.
Contrary to popular opinion, clear cutting large sections of forest contributes to the wildfire phenomenon.
Lucy Walker is an Oscar-nominated director whose recent release “Bring Your Own Brigade” is once again heating up the wildfire debate. The film was shot in 2018 during the Thomas Fire in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, CA. While the piece makes a strong case for the need to reverse climate change, it also documents how efforts from the USFS and private corporations have created dense forests where a sparse topography once existed — setting the stage for heat- and drought-driven wildfires to thrive. “Comparing photographs makes it very clear,” she explains in the narration. “You can see the changes [through time] and you can see what ‘fire suppression’ has done. Forests just didn’t used to be this thick.” An unnamed resident interviewee confirms this, explaining, “In the past it was more of a savannah situation. Bigger trees spaced farther apart. Now, you’ve created a heat source you can’t stop.”
Professor Pyro
Gary Stephen Maynard, a Criminology professor and holder of a doctorate in Sociology, is accused of lighting forest fires in California.
Gary Maynard is a tenured academic of the California Collegiate system, teaching — quite ironically — criminal justice. The esteemed professor has, until recently, been an enthusiastic contributor to the Golden State’s greatest airborne export. In July and August of 2021, he allegedly went on an unprecedented spree of arson and wholesale destruction. He was recently accused of having set a series of half a dozen fires in the Lassen and Shasta Trinity National Forest areas. These blazes, according to agents from the USFS, were designed to trap authorities and firefighter crews.
Maynard also holds a doctorate in sociology from Stony Brook University in Brookhaven, New York, as well as two additional master’s degrees. Pinpointing his motives will no doubt be a challenge, and reports of court proceedings offer little insight into his mindset — other than repeated denials and blue streaks of profanity aimed at police officers. Whether this is an isolated incident and Maynard is an anomaly, or he is part of a bigger scheme to create anarchy is undetermined. Yet, given the climate of general mania which seems to have much of the general populace in its grip, the idea of a cabal of arsonists creeping about the California woods with a penchant for pyromania is not exactly farfetched.
While California wildfires are certainly not the main culprit of poor air quality in Denver, they are a definite contributor. Hanson and Walker have demonstrated the cause of some of these catastrophes while Maynard has shown how easy they are to ignite. While not wholly unavoidable, wildfires could be reduced were it not for the almighty dollar. This paper byproduct of trees seems to skew the logic of even the most perceptive of people. In this case, it is especially true for those with large government contracts worth many millions of dollars and not a damn to give about who chokes on what, where or when.
