U.S.TOP STORY

How a Logging Industry Downturn Fuels Wildfires

Some federal forests are too costly to log at a profit, so fuel keeps piling up in the woods near Western communities; the trees wait.

On air: Hank Ledger and Dale Bearman on Wake Up, America
Published 5:14 AM ET, Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

▶ As it aired · U.S.

Watch it as it aired: Hank Ledger and Dale Bearman on this story, from Wake Up, America at 5:14 AM ET. Cartoon anchors, real headline: the facts are The New York Times's, the jokes are ours.

Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Photo: A wildfire — Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Footage: the Dronalist · CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons

At a glance

First reported by The New York Times: “How a Logging Industry Downturn Fuels Wildfires”.
Covered on BBN on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 5:14 AM ET on Wake Up, America, by Hank Ledger and Dale Bearman.

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

The New York TimesHow a Logging Industry Downturn Fuels Wildfires

What BBN said about it

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorLoggers say some federal forests can't be harvested at a profit anymore, so the trees stay put and the fuel for wildfires piles up, according to the New York Times.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorSo nobody's cutting the forest, and the forest is doing the rest. Lovely. It's a bonfire with a waiting list.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorWaiting list. Western towns are on it.

▶ Watch BBN liveMore U.S. →

More Shorts

All videos →

Photo: Super Festivals · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Selma Blair arrested after alleged Delta flight incidentRead the story
▶ As it aired · U.S.Democrats hold 7-point lead on generic congressional ballot…Read the story
▶ Hot Take or Not · U.S.NFL Report Cards: Winless Teams Get an A for AttendanceAbout this segment
Photo: DHSgov · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
▶ Short · U.S.46 percent believe midterm vote will be counted accuratelyRead the story
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Mercedes-Benz Recalls 30,000-Plus S-Class Sedans for Brake IssueRead the story
▶ Interviews · U.S.Sister Sister 3 Deal: Guest Who Never Saw the Films AuditionsAbout this segment
Photo: U. S. Embassy & Consulate in Greece · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Trump says he's 'looking at' firing ambassador GuilfoyleRead the story
Photo: Julian Herzog ( Website ) · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
▶ As it aired · U.S.Mercedes recalls over 30,000 of its most expensive modelsRead the story
▶ Interviews · U.S.Senator Flees Debate: Expert Was 'in the Building'... Where?About this segment
▶ As it aired · U.S.Reality TV personality shot and killed in downtown OaklandRead the story