I remember reading about it in either Monkey Wrench Gang, Hayduke Lives, Desert Solitaire, Fool's Progress, Fire on the Mountain or maybe The Brave Cowboy. He explains how wildfires are a healthy part of the natural cycle, burning out dense undergrowth and how the size of forest fires have increased since Smokey the Bear began claiming that only you can prevent forest fires.

I would really like to reread this passage and hoping someone more experienced with his writing can remind me in which book I found it.

Thanks!

Isaac

I wish I could help, Isaac. I've never read anything by Edward Abbey but now that I look him up I see that he is quite a prolific writer. And great reviews too.