Worm Saves the Day

It is only recently that the United States Forest Service and wildfire managers have understood the benefits of “good fire” in promoting forest health. For generations, the federal government has portrayed fires as something that must be stopped no matter what.

The North Fork Mono people have a creation story that centers on a heroic worm, who helps rescue a falcon caught on a high rock spire by raising the water level — by using fire.

Using controlled fire to eliminate excessive underbrush can help raise the water table and make once-dry streams flow again. The North Fork Mono and their hero inchworm knew that.

If only someone had told Smokey Bear about 50 years ago.