In June 2007, the Angora wildfire burned more than 3,000 acres and destroyed more than 250 homes. This was the most recent example of intense wildfires that result from large amounts of "fuel" in the forest due to fire suppression and overgrowth.

While the ecology of the Sierra Nevada evolved with forest fires, today's fires are more intense, reaching temperatures high enough to scorch the ground and devoid it of the nutrients needed to re-establish the forest. These fires also increase erosion and impact water quality, habitat and recreation. Fighting these fires also costs more and strains already challenged budgets.

Poorly managed forests reduce the quality of timber, the ability of the forest to retain and store runoff, and its ability to sequester carbon. While often subject to lawsuits, Timber Harvest Plans, particularly those that include eradication of dead and dying timber and excess forest fuels, can address many of these issues by incorporating state-required sustainable forest management practices.