Park Service Reports Surge In Violence Against Rangers By Matthew Daly, Associated Press

It is getting more dangerous to be a forest ranger — and it is not because of the animals.

Attacks, threats and lesser fights involving Forest Service workers reached an all-time high last year, according to government documents obtained by a public employees advocacy group. Incidents ranged from gunshots to stalking and verbal abuse.

The agency tally shows 477 such reports in 2005, compared with 88 logged a year earlier. The total in 2003 was 104; in 1995, it was 34. …

“Things like off-road vehicles are taking people into the backcountry to get away from all rules of civilization, and trouble appears to be ensuing,” said the [Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility’s] executive director, Jeff Ruch.