Will we just leave 300,000 acres of timber to someday be in a forest fire out west?

There is plenty of second growth that can be harvested. There is only a limited number of old growth and when it is gone it's gone. Fires are much more devastating in managed forests. In mature forests the trees actually benefit by having the brush and undergrowth removed. How many fires do you think the ancient redwoods survived? Plantations of mono species and even aged trees get wiped out in hot intense fires. In ancient forests fire burns in a lower intensity mosaic pattern. Old growth also provides oxygen, healthy watersheds, habitat, recreation, and many other benefits. Today forests are managed in a sustainable manner. This is a win/win situation for everyone including the timber industry.