We disagree. Old growth forests are a valuable research asset. Using them for lumber is un-necessary in the face of a global timber glut. You might want to ask yourself why no one is growing timber of equivalent quality before you make that assertion.
You're able to speak as a qualified conservationist, watch out for flames from those that don't know you.
As much as we despise the envirals, we all agree there are certain trees that shouldn't be cut. We have some 500 year old Cypress Strands down here that are truly magnificent.
That said, there's plenty of Old Growth that can be cut. Saving it just for the sake of saving it can be counterproductive.
That's one thing the Greens screwed up for everyone. The ability for us all who care about the environment to look at anything rationally and logically anymore.
I can't see burned timber as much of an asset for any purpose. - Unless those forests are logged enough to break the crown open, sooner or later thay will burn destructively.
I believe it was you that posted an article some months ago that exposed how much western forests have densified in the past century or so. - It is that crown density that makes the fires impossible to fight on a small scale basis. ( that's not my idea, it comes from rank and file CDF smoke eaters)