Controlled Burn in Angeles Forest

As an atmospheric scientist involved in planning the controlled Lodi Canyon burn in the Angeles National Forest this fall, I was appalled to read the misinformed and sensational letter of Victor Veysey (Sept. 17). I hope my reply will correct any damage it may have caused, by explaining more clearly the purpose and scope of the experiment.

The concerns of Veysey, and perhaps other Times readers, over the controlled chaparral burn planned for the Angeles National Forest this fall are unfounded. The U.S. Forest Service performs controlled fires in brush and grass every year in California to reduce the long-term fire hazards around our cities, to study the applications of fire in wildland-resource management, and to develop effective firefighting techniques for rugged terrain. These are all beneficial activities.

The burns are carried out only under optimum weather conditions that minimize the danger of fire spread and mitigate local air pollution. Extensive safety and environmental precautions are taken before any controlled fire is initiated.

The smoke measurements that will be made by atmospheric scientists this fall, although incidental to the burn itself, are aimed at understanding several critical environmental problems, including the dispersion of air pollutants and aspects of ozone photochemistry.

The burns are not being run to resolve arcane disputes between opposing computer modeling groups, as Veysey misinterprets. More serious issues are involved, including the future quality of human civilization.

These issues, it turns out, may be illuminated by sampling the smoke from controlled fires. Thus, by intelligently studying an event already scheduled, important knowledge can be gained that will eventually improve the quality of life for everyone.

RICHARD TURCO

Marina del Rey