In 2020, the Western United States experienced a record-breaking year of devastating wildfires. By September of 2020, over five million acres in Oregon, Washington, and California had burned. The smoke from these fires could be seen from space and traveled thousands of miles, reaching Northern Europe. As a result, communities, businesses, natural landscapes, and ecosystems have been devastated. Even after the flames have been extinguished and communities have begun to rebuild, large swaths of forests and, in some areas, entire river drainages remain closed to the public—in the name of public safety. Increased frustrations from communities, the public, conservation
