Changes caused by worsening wildfires in California forests will last centuries [Los Angeles Times :: BC-ENV-CALIF-WILDFIRES-CHANGES:LA] LOS ANGELES — The single-engine Cessna was buzzing 1,000 feet above a Northern California burn scar as University of California, Berkeley scientist Scott Stephens shifted excitedly in his seat and peered out the window for a better view. Down below, heavy machinery kicked up clouds of dust as commercial loggers attempted to salvage whatever timber they could, while a vast canopy of green, gold and brown rolled beneath the aircraft. Occasionally, this brilliant autumn quilt would be marred by with burn patches. “That’s fantastic, just fantastic,” Stephens exclaimed. “It’s a real mosaic!”