The Fire Break | Innovations in Wildfire

LA Proves We Can’t Suppress Our Way Out of Wildfire Devastation | Daniel Swain


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Wildfire disasters are accelerating across the globe, and climate scientist Daniel Swain says we’re dangerously unprepared for what’s coming next. Climate scientist Daniel Swain discusses the growing complexity of wildfire events in a warming world. From fire weather science to the failures of over-suppression, Swain explains why our current strategies aren’t cutting it—and what has to change. They dive into California’s record-breaking urban wildfires, the hidden risks of battery fires and toxic smoke, the paradox of resilience vs. resistance, and how disaster movies might hold the key to better preparedness. Whether you’re a firefighter, policymaker, or just living near flammable landscapes, this is the conversation we all need right now.

🎙 Topics include:

  • Why climate + wind is a catastrophic combo

  • Urban firestorms in LA, Maui, Boulder, and beyond

  • Compound disasters: when one emergency triggers another

  • Prescribed fire, Indigenous burning, and fire-adapted communities

  • Watch Duty, arson myths, and evacuation tech gaps


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The Fire Break | Innovations in WildfireBy Steve Wolf | Wildfire Scientist