Fire and smoke have become an annual source of concern for Oregonians, especially for those of us living in the Southwest. As wildfire trends become increasingly obvious, questions about their drivers become more urgent. Yet, many factors affect wildfire behavior and impact: forest management, disruptions to fire’s natural role, patterns of development, and, importantly, changes to the climate. What do we know about how wildfires are changing, the causes, and options for climate adaptation?
Dr. Chris Adlam, Southwest Regional Fire Specialist with the Oregon State University Extension Service, Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center, will be the featured speaker at the August SOCAN monthly general meeting. Adlam will discuss how climate is influencing fire risk in the region, what climate projections portend for our future, and what steps we can take to minimize the risk.