Articles written by Andrew Selsky

Andrew Selsky, Associated Press|Updated Jun 29, 2021

SALEM — In the 1950s, when University of California forestry professor Harold Biswell experimented with prescribed burns in the state’s pine forests, many people thought he was nuts. “Harry the Torch,’’ “Burn-Em-Up Biswell,’’ and “Doctor Burnwell’’ were some of his nicknames from critics, who included federal and state foresters and timber groups. Six decades after Biswell preached an unpopular message to those who advocated full-on fire suppression, he is seen not as crazy but someone whose ideas could save the U.S.... Full story