![A century of fire suppression is worsening wildfires and hurting forests](https://assets3.cbsnewsstatic.com/hub/i/r/2023/07/10/14a78ebf-4efb-448e-91ce-0eafb85d75d7/thumbnail/1200x630/2bcc6695230a50f77909a58164bc5e32/fire-feature-image-1.jpg?v=867e41af7e860d9286e5bd7e91ee0db8)
A century of fire suppression is worsening wildfires and hurting forests
CBSN
As parts of the country typically unaffected by wildfires have been blanketed in smoke in recent months, experts are turning to a centuries-old practice as one way to help manage increasingly severe forest fires.
At the root of the problem, experts say, is the longtime policy of fire exclusion: keeping fire out of the forest.
Starting in the late 1800's, for nearly a century, fire suppression was America's national policy, putting out fires as soon as they start. While that successfully reduced the amount of forest burned, over time it led to a buildup of highly flammable dead trees and brush on the forest floor.
![](/newspic/picid-6252001-20250216030556.jpg)
This story previously aired on Feb. 10, 2024. It was updated on Feb. 15, 2025. AMIE HARWICK (video): You can seek therapy to address an issue like depression, anxiety, a breakup. You can also seek therapy to be a better you! GARETH PURSEHOUSE (voicemail): I have so much I need to say. Please give me a chance to just say it. … Please (crying) please.
![](/newspic/picid-6252001-20250216003423.jpg)
Signaling a major shift in civil rights enforcement, the federal agency that enforces workplace anti-discrimination laws has moved to dismiss six of its own cases on behalf of workers alleging gender identity discrimination, arguing that the cases now conflict with President Donald Trump's recent executive order, court documents say.