LAST WEEK'S STORIESHISTORY
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August 29,
2001 BREAKING NEWS: $50,000 offered for Thirtymile information Factual foundation,personal filters, deniability and opinions - Publisher's Comment by Lee Hicks $50,000 offered for Thirtymile information The Forest Service has announced it will offer up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for the abandoned campfire that caused the fatal Thirtymile Fire. Special agent Ron Pugh said investigators are specifically interested in hearing from anyone who was in the area or has information about those who may have been on the Chewuch River Road, between Andrews Creek and the Thirtymile trailhead, on July 7, 8 or 9. The fire exploded late in the day July 10, trapping 14 firefighters and two campers. Four firefighters were killed when the blaze swept over their heat-shielding tents. A Forest Service statement said the investigation remains a "national priority." The amount paid for information will depend on the "value of their information" as determined by the agency, the statement said. Anyone with information should call 509-996-4005, or 1-800-448-9453. Publisher's Comment by Lee Hicks Factual foundation,personal filters, deniability and opinions A few letters regarding the News’ reporting of events related to the Thirtymile Fire illustrate that personal perspective often colors how readers process information. As the News was careful to report, and emphasize in a commentary, uncertainty over regulations related to the Endangered Species Act, and the delay of water, may have been one of several factors that could have contributed to the blaze that claimed the lives of four firefighters. Of the various letters to the News, several readers have expressed dismay or anger over the possibility that the ESA might have played a part. Others have observed that the News reporting was trying to "whip up," in the words of one letter writer, opposition to the ESA. One letter concludes that the number of published letters that emphasized the role of endangered species in the fire has outnumbered those who believe otherwise. This, the writer, believes is somehow a barometer of reader interpretation of the News’ reporting and apparently an indication of a calculated campaign against the ESA. While perhaps flattering in a curious way, it would be sad if the Methow Valley News were the only source from which our readers formed opinions on major events such as the Thirtymile Fire. It’s doubtful that this is the case. The issue of endangered species guidelines, or uncertainty over them in relation to the fire, has also been widely reported by regional and national media—often with much less detailed and officially corroborated information than that provided by the News. The endangered species "factor" in the Thirtymile Fire should not be embraced as a reason to attack the ESA. But neither should the potential role of endangered species in the Thirtymile Fire be dismissed as part of the investigation. Deniability in this case is premature. It would also be unfortunate to conclude that a simple count of letters in the Methow Valley News on any issue is a true indication of most readers’ interpretation of events or their individual opinions. Whatever conclusions readers may draw from various reports on the Thirtymile Fire, they would do well to read carefully the investigation report which Forest Service officials now say should be available in September. Opinion | Sports |
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