1A Best Of: The Future Of Fighting And Preventing Forest Fires
Jun 26, 2025
Jordan Thomas, a cultural anthropologist and former hotshot firefighter, and Amy Cardinal Christensen, a Métis Senior Fire Advisor, dive into the changing landscape of forest fires. They discuss how climate change is intensifying wildfires and the urgent need for adaptive strategies. The duo highlights the significance of Indigenous fire management practices, which have been historically overlooked, and stress the lessons that can be learned from these traditions for modern fire prevention. Their conversation underscores the need for a shift towards sustainable and informed fire management.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Jordan Thomas' Firefighter Journey
- Jordan Thomas joined a hotshot firefighting crew with zero previous knowledge about wildfires.
- He learned firsthand the intense physical and cultural demands of wildfire management up close.
Fire Shaped Humans' Evolution
- Humans likely evolved alongside and were shaped by wildfires rather than merely controlling them.
- Fire was a tool that people learned to harness over millennia, influencing ecosystems and survival strategies.
Good vs. Bad Fires Defined
- Indigenous perspectives view fires on a spectrum from good to bad based on cultural and ecological impacts.
- "Good fires" are controlled burns that promote renewal without damaging cultural resources.