I recently received an email from a reader of Klamath Falls News and Cascade Firewatch asking for Klamath Falls News to compile a synopsis of what happened with the unprecedented number of wildfires experienced in the west this year and specifically asks about how these fires were started. In his email he asks:

This year we have experienced an unprecedented number of arson incidents. A record in the history of our nation. Over 500,000 people in Oregon have been forced to leave their homes. It's after the fact but could you please tell us more about how these fires were started. And could you please give us more information about the actual natural causes of these fires as opposed to the universally applied and vague shibboleth: climate change. Our lives literally depend on this knowledge. It would be a great service to the people of Oregon and Northern California if you were to compile a synopsis of what happened.
~ Philip

I believe this is a valid and interesting request. As I too want to know what is going on in our forests and wildlands.

However, Klamath Falls News has not and will not report on speculation. KFN will only report on what is provided to us from official sources. Sometimes that official information is vague to protect an ongoing investigation. Other times we receive the information the public seeks. No matter which, KFN will report the information given to us by officials.

My reply to Philip.

Here at Klamath Falls News we too want to know the cause of each of the fires in the west. We have heard all the rumors and conspiracy theories as to the origins of the wildfires as I am sure you have. However, we will not publish speculation. We will leave that to other places on the internet.
We produce reliable factual information that our readers can count on. To do this, KFN relies on the information given to us from the different agencies battling these fires. Many of which are officially “under investigation.”
What we will not do, is jump into the deep end of the speculation pool. We will not share information that does not directly come from an official source, as we do not want to place false blame on any person, place, or thing. We certainly do not want to add to the confusion.
KFN wants to know as badly as you do, when we know for sure, we will be sharing that information.
~ Brian Gailey, Publisher / Journalist / Photographer
Klamath Falls News

Brian Gailey Publisher Klamath Falls News — Brian Gailey
Publisher Klamath Falls News

This editorial has not been endorsed or otherwise paid by any party. It has not been reviewed by any party prior to posting. The opinion is strictly that of the Klamath Falls News Editor, Brian Gailey.