Can fires be fought in wilderness areas?
The Wilderness Act specifically states in Section 4(d)(l) that certain measures may be taken to control fire in wilderness areas. These include the use of mechanized equipment, the building of fire roads, fire towers, firebreaks, or pre suppression facilities and other techniques for fire control. In short, anything necessary for public health or safety (for example, protecting adjacent private lands and buildings) is clearly permissible. U.S. Forest Service policy provides for suppression of wild fires in wilderness areas.
