Frank Carroll argues that the U.S. Forest Service's Potential Operational Delineations (PODs) were designed as planning tools — not preauthorized burn zones. But in practice, many communities fear that POD boundaries are quietly becoming "big boxes": areas where incident teams can justify indirect tactics, allow large sections to burn, and invoke vague "resource benefit" or "firefighter safety" rationales with little accountability. Carroll makes the case that communities near the wildland-urban interface must demand transparency, meaningful public input, and a clear commitment to full suppression — before the next fire starts.

Frank Carroll’s editorial A Fire-Worthy World argues that current wildfire spending prioritizes suppression over prevention, comparing the high costs of fighting large wildfires with proactive investments in fuel reduction and landscape management. The article advocates for long-term, community-centered strategies that reduce wildfire severity, improve safety, and support living with fire rather than reacting to catastrophe.