Fire: the Problem and the Solution

 

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The first episode of One Foot in the Black introduces you to the four root causes we’ve identified that increase the frequency and severity of wildfire in the West, and we begin to explore the solutions to living with fire in the era of climate change. 

As an organization based in southern Oregon, a region where fire season is nothing new, KS Wild is at the forefront of tackling issues of fire and climate change. Here in Ashland, Oregon---on the unceded territory of the Takelma people---we are witnessing allies, friends, neighbors, and colleagues directly impacted by the aftermath and recovery of the Labor Day fires that swept across regions throughout Klamath-Siskiyou. 

In this episode we talk to Chris Chambers, Pam Marsh, Belinda Brown, Janet Lancaster, and Jessica Halofsky and find that the solutions to our fire problem are as complex as the problem itself. 

Hosts: Joseph Vaile, Alexi Lovechio, and Jessica Klinke

Episode Guests:

Featured
Dr. Timothy Ingalsbee
Dr. Timothy Ingalsbee

Timothy Ingalsbee, Ph.D. is co-founder and executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology (FUSEE) and is a faculty research associate at the University of Oregon. Timothy began his career as a wildland firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service. In 1993 Timothy received the Oregon Conservationist of the Year Award by the Oregon Natural Resources Council. Timothy co-founded and directed the Cascadia Fire Ecology Education Project from 1994-2004, and created and directed the Western Fire Ecology Center from 1997-2004. Timothy is a senior wildland fire ecologist certified by the Association for Fire Ecology.

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Janet Lancaster
Janet Lancaster

Janet Lancaster is a community organizer and wildfire preparedness advocate. Months after retiring to Merlin in 2018, the US Forest Service published a report naming Merlin the community most at-risk of wildfire in Oregon. This began her quest to learn - and share with her community - what homeowners can do to prevent, prepare for and survive wildfire. She co-founded Firesmart Merlin in January 2019, which offers free community meetings on wildfire readiness and related topics.

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Jessica Halofsky
Jessica Halofsky

Jessica Halofsky’s research is focused on assessing potential effects of climate change on forest vegetation and disturbance regimes, using both modelling and field-based approaches. Jessica also facilitates development of climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans for national forests and other partners across the western United States.

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Belinda Brown
Belinda Brown

Belinda Brown is an enrolled Kosealekte Band member of the Ajumawi-Atsuge Nation (Pit River Tribe). She is honored to bring the collective voice of tribal communities to the leadership of Lomakatsi and the Rogue Basin as the Tribal Partnerships Director of Lomakatsi. She works to include and maintain a tribal presence as the first, best stewards of the land, incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge into current best practices in ecosystem and ecocultural restoration. Her work has spanned 30 years of intergovernmental affairs coordination in Indian Country as a tribal leader.

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Chris Chambers
Chris Chambers

An Ashland native, Chris has worked at Ashland Fire and Rescue since 2002. A graduate of the Oregon State University College of Forestry, Chris worked for the US Forest Service and BLM for 5 seasons in silviculture, fire, botany, and wildlife and fisheries biology. For Ashland Fire & Rescue, Chris coordinated National Fire Plan grants for 6 years with hundreds of private landowners, co-authored the 2004 Ashland Community Wildfire Protection Plan and 2005 Jackson County Integrated Fire Plan and participated in the genesis and ongoing implementation of the Ashland Forest Resiliency Stewardship Project.

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Pam Marsh
Pam Marsh

Pam Marsh is an American Democratic politician currently serving in the Oregon House of Representatives. She represents the 5th district, which covers southern Jackson County, including the city of Ashland.

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PodcastGuest UserOne Foot in the Black, Episode 1, Climate, Fire, Almeda Fire, Labor Day Fires, Chris Chambers, Pam Marsh, Belinda Brown, Janet Lancaster, Jessica Halofsky