1A The Future Of Fighting And Preventing Forest Fires
May 28, 2025
Jordan Thomas, a cultural anthropologist and former hotshot firefighter, teams up with Amy Cardinal Christensen, a Métis fire expert, to discuss the evolving nature of wildfires. They delve into the historical and cultural significance of fire, emphasizing Indigenous practices and the need to reframe how we perceive wildfires. With climate change intensifying fire behaviors, the duo advocates for innovative management strategies that honor both ecological and cultural legacies, showcasing the urgent need for holistic approaches in combating wildfires.
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Jordan Thomas's Fire Journey
- Jordan Thomas went from cultural anthropologist to hotshot firefighter to understand wildfires better.
- He learned the intense physicality and knowledge required to manage fires up close.
Wildfires Domesticated Humans
- Humans were likely domesticated by wildfires, not the other way around.
- Early humans probably followed and used wildfires over a long period for survival benefits.
Indigenous View on Fire's Impact
- Indigenous perspectives see fire on a continuum from good to bad based on impact.
- Bad fires burn too hot and damage landscapes for generations, unlike controlled beneficial burns.