Forest bill a welcome change

Funny how it took a move into the country before a Democrat would support efforts to clean up our forest floors.

Last week, Senate Bill 6121 passed the Senate unanimously. The bill sponsored by Sen. Kevin Van De Wege — a Democrat who now lives at Lake Sutherland — encourages the removal of downed timber and other “fuel” that could feed a wildfire.

He should be commended for being among the first Democrats to step out of the party box and recognize the importance of removing downed timber, dead snags and other ground debris from our forests. Interestingly, it took his move from a city to rural...