From the text ... 'The future role of prescribed fire in management of park and wilderness lands is not as clear to me as the role of natural fire. Its value, at least in certain instances, has been clearly demonstrated. As a tool, even in these cases, it has not been recognized as useful and necessary so far as adequate funding through existing budget structures is concerned. Proper budgetary support is required if this program is to remain meaningful and productive in the national parks. I am increasingly skeptical of spring burning in the parks. In the first place it is not normally a natural event so far as I can observe because fire seldom occurred during the spring months. It may well be more than normally detrimental to nesting birds and other wildlife whose young may not be able to escape from the fire area. Spring burns make for a pretty dreary sight from an aesthetic standpoint for the remainder of the spring and summer season when visitors are most apt to be in the area. A winter season of snow and rain can do a great deal to restore the area after a fall burn. . . Methods for burning in areas of outstanding visitor interest such as the vicinities of the General Sherman and General Grant trees are still ahead of us. These measures will provide the ultimate test of public opinion and minimum impact burning. Adequate funding and knowledge must be made available before this part of the task is undertaken.'