There is an interesting irony about fire control and endangered species.
The conifer forests east of the Cascade crest were once dominated by
ponderosa pines, a habitat too open for spotted owls. Once fires were
suppressed by foresters, probably starting at the turn of the century,
Douglas-firs and grand firs were able to reach maturity, in much denser
stands than the pines. These habitats turned out to be excellent for
spotted owls, which presumably increased accordingly on the east side
(especially as many of them were forced out of areas logged on the west
side). Thus the loggers themselves produced the habitat that their nemesis,
the spotted owl, now inhabits and keeps them from logging!

Dennis Paulson