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. 

We begin this episode with the story of the Almeda Fire, which tore through southern Oregon communities during the Labor Day fires of September 2020. 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. Through narrative conversation, we find that the solutions to our fire problem are as complex as the problem itself. 

Guests: Wildland Fire Division Chief Chris Chambers, Oregon State Representative Pam Marsh, Belinda Brown (Kosealekte Band, Ajumawi-Atsuge Nation - Pit River Tribe) of Lomakatsi Restoration Project, Janet Lancaster of Fire Smart Merlin, and Jessica Halofsky of Northwest Climate Hub.

Hosts: Joseph Vaile, Alexi Lovechio, and Jessica Klinke

Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Sources/references

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/nov/21/wildfire-prescribed-burns-california-native-americans

https://www.verisk.com/insurance/campaigns/location-fireline-state-risk-report/