Couple of thoughts here....
This seems to be a reoccuring theme, that of responsiblity. There is nothing wrong with backcountry camp fires if the users are responsible (1) creating the fire (2) maintaining and controlling it (3) extinguishing and cleaning up. But like the forest closure issue, the least responsible are the most visible.
I've never found the need for a fire in the backcountry, but almost always have one when car camping...just personal preferrance..
As for the issue of being a turd in the punch bowl...if that is your choice, be the turd, be the turd with pride, be the best damn turd you can be, just don't get upset if people don't like their punch with a turd in it. This place is fun, let's keep it that way.
Turd in the punchbowl...I like that one....
