From KCRW in Santa Monica and PRI, Public Radio International, this is To the Point.

An existential challenge for Smokey the Bear.

Hello again, I'm Armin Alney, and this is To the Point from Public Radio International.

A daily look at the issues Americans care about most. Record-setting wildfires are raging across the West. After 10 days, the largest

blaze in Washington State history is still only half contained. 36 major fires are blazing in

seven other states, burning up the Forest Service budget along with vast tracks of land. Money

earmarked for fire prevention is diverted

to fighting fires. Bad news for the hot dry future predicted from climate change. Is it time to

manage so-called wilderness rather than leaving it free? Should the timber industry play a bigger

role? Today's talking point is the National Basketball Association about to get big in

India. First, here's the news.

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Hello again, Warren. I'll name back with

The Point. Major wildfires in eight western states are scorching millions of acres and destroying

homes, stretching the budgets of firefighting agencies, raising questions about the management

of protected wilderness. We'll hear about present dangers and future options. Today's talking point,

the Sacramento Kings have lined up a

seven-foot-five-inch player of Indian descent with a potential appeal to 600 million viewers of cable

TV. Will Simran Bular capture India the way Yao Ming captured China? First, this news update.

The FAA and the European Aviation Safety Agency have lifted their

...