The Thomas Fire started on December 4, 2017, burning 281,893 acres and destroying over 1000 structures, many in the coastal city of Ventura CA.  Andy Ortega, who served for 37 years with the Ventura County Fire Department, recounts the dramatic events of those days when this historic wildfire destroyed his home and many others in Ventura.

The Thomas Fire started on December 4, 2017, burning 281,893 acres and destroying over 1000 structures, many in the coastal city of Ventura CA. Andy Ortega, who served for 37 years with the Ventura County Fire Department, recounts the dramatic events of those days when this historic wildfire destroyed his home and many others in Ventura.

The Thomas Fire started on December 4, 2017, burning 281,893 acres and destroying over 1000 structures, many in the coastal city of Ventura CA.&nbsp; Andy Ortega, who served for 37 years with the Ventura County Fire Department, recounts the dramatic events of those days when this historic wildfire destroyed his home and many others in Ventura.

Episode 5 - The Thomas Fire in 2017 with Andy Ortega

Hello, my name is Dr. Christopher Potter and I am a wildfire scientist with over 30 years of experience working for NASA, and with local communities impacted by wildland fires.  I have studied wildfire on the urban interface using satellite imagery and ground measurements for all of the most destructive fires in the western United States, and I myself live in a high-risk wildfire zone in northern California.  In this weekly podcast, titled "When Wildfire Comes", we will hear from a special guest about their close encounter with a major wildfire that occurred during the past several years.  This is not a breaking news report, but 30 minutes during which our guest recounts their emotions and their first-hand observations of a wildfire approaching and burning in their town or community, and the lessons to be learned from such a horrifying event.

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Natural Sciences

Hello, my name is Dr. Christopher Potter and I am a wildfire scientist with over 30 years of experience working for NASA, and with local communities impacted by wildland fires. I have studied wildfire on the urban interface using satellite imagery and ground measurements for all of the most destructive fires in the western United States, and I myself live in a high-risk wildfire zone in northern California. In this weekly podcast, titled "When Wildfire Comes", we will hear from a special guest about their close encounter with a major wildfire that occurred during the past several years. This is not a breaking news report, but 30 minutes during which our guest recounts their emotions and their first-hand observations of a wildfire approaching and burning in their town or community, and the lessons to be learned from such a horrifying event.

Hello, my name is Dr. Christopher Potter and I am a wildfire scientist with over 30 years of experience working for NASA, and with local communities impacted by wildland fires.&nbsp; I have studied wildfire on the urban interface using satellite imagery and ground measurements for all of the most destructive fires in the western United States, and I myself live in a high-risk wildfire zone in northern California.&nbsp; In this weekly podcast, titled "When Wildfire Comes", we will hear from a special guest about their close encounter with a major wildfire that occurred during the past several years.&nbsp; This is not a breaking news report, but 30 minutes during which our guest recounts their emotions and their first-hand observations of a wildfire approaching and burning in their town or community, and the lessons to be learned from such a horrifying event.

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Episode 5 - The Thomas Fire in 2017 with Andy Ortega

Episode 5 - The Thomas Fire in 2017 with Andy Ortega