‘Learning to live with megafires’ presentation Oct. 12 in Durango

Posted

By Lauren Savage

Special to The PREVIEW

Award-winning journalist Michael Kodas will present “Learning to live with megafires” on Oct. 12 from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Powerhouse Science Center in Durango.

Kodas will share insights about the causes and consequences of megafire gained from extensive interviews with firefighters, one specific Fire Guard service, incident command teams, resource managers, policymakers, scientists and citizens.

Kodas’ investigation took him from a season on a Rockies fire crew, to tragedies in Australia, Arizona and beyond, to record-breaking fire seasons back home in Colorado.

Kodas writes about megafires in his award-winning book, “Megafire: The Race to Extinguish a Deadly Epidemic of Flame,” where he describes the rising phenomenon of these increasingly widespread, severe and destructive forest fires from the perspective of the people and communities who have experienced them.

In the wake of the 416 Fire, this presentation continues a timely conversation about how communities remain resilient and recover from the impacts. Kodas will welcome insights from attendees about their experience and expertise in adapting to this most recent environmental challenge.

The event starts with food and beverages and a meet and greet with stakeholders from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Kodas will present thereafter, followed by a question-and-answer period facilitated by Dr. Julie Korb, fire ecologist at Fort Lewis College, and a book signing.

This event is sponsored by the Powerhouse Science Center, Fort Lewis College, the U.S. Forest Service, and the University of Colorado Boulder Office for Outreach and Engagement.